From being assaulted to having eggs thrown at her, Hope Miller has never stopped fighting for what she believes in.
Hope Miller, 19, of Hawthorn Woods works as a full-time Director of Youth Outreach for the Pro-Life Action League. Miller kick-started her work in advocacy at the age of 12. She eventually became the President of the Crusaders for Life in Volo, Illinois when she was 14. At the age of 16, Miller joined the Pro-Life Action League and has been working there ever since.
“I believe in the value and dignity of all human life,” Miller says.
Being a Director of Youth Outreach, Miller’s job involves her working in campus outreach, handing out flyers, making professional signs, and educating the youth on pro-life values. Miller also holds teen events to equip the youth with the resources to advocate for themselves.
Miller expressed excitement when it came to working with youth. She said the best part is “when it clicks and they show up and actually do something.”
Advocacy hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for Miller either. In public efforts of advocating for the unborn, she has been met with violent conflict.
“A lady took my phone and smashed my phone, I’ve had eggs thrown at me, a lady threatened to have her dog bite me, a man mooned me,” Miller said.
Despite facing harsh criticism and physical altercations, Miller has held a positive attitude towards the opposition.
“I think that you should disagree because that allows for growth. The most I’ve grown is when people challenge me on my beliefs,” Miller said.
Among 7 siblings, Miller was homeschooled by her mother in a program called Mother of Divine Grace. Her mother was her teacher until 9th grade where she attended online classes in the same program.
“I loved being able to homeschool because it allowed so many opportunities,” Miller said. “We spent less time than the average student doing school work. We could take the excess time to do things that interest us.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools were forced to go online. Miller said that the transition was easy.
“We were on zoom before it was cool,” Miller said.
Miller currently attends the College of Lake County pursuit of an Associates in Communication to support her advocacy work. Additionally, Miller recently achieved a Certificate in Interior Design in hopes of bringing a passion project to life.
Miller said she “wanted to bring the beauty of the Catholic faith to the home through interior design.”
Other than watching true crime, Miller said Jesus is her hobby. She has attended St. Peters in Volo Catholic church since she was a child. She said that her favorite aspect of the Catholic faith is “the abundance of forgiveness, hope, and redemption that we receive.”
Her faith has guided her future as well. Miller became engaged in July 2024 and is planning to get married in August 2025. Regarding future plans, Miller said that she wanted to eventually become a stay-at-home mother while still participating in her advocate work. She mentioned that modern society doesn’t promote women’s natural inclination to be the primary caretakers of their own children.
“I’ve acknowledged my natural inclination,” Miller said. “I’d rather be doing something I’m naturally good at and that I’m excited about than forcing myself into corporate America and let someone else raise my children.”
