Barbara Listing, the longtime president of Right to Life of Michigan, on Tuesday announced her retirement, having led the organization since 1980. 

Right to Life Michigan was originally formed in 1973 as the Michigan Citizens for Life following the Supreme Court’s Decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. The organization advocates against abortion and euthanasia. 

During her time as president, Listing co-managed three successful legislative initiative drives, and two successful referendum votes, including a ban on medicaid funding for abortions, defeating the legalization of assisted suicide and preventing standard insurance coverage of abortions. 

Listing’s retirement, which is effective at the end of the month, follows the successful passage and implementation of Proposal 3, which enshrined the right to abortion, birth control and maternity care in the state constitution and struck down the state’s 1931 ban on abortion. The Democratic-led Legislature also passed a number abortion rights bills referred to as the Reproductive Health Act.

Right to Life Michigan and other Michigan-based groups have since filed a lawsuit in federal court to strike down the constitutional amendment. 

Listing will continue to serve as member of Right to Life of Michigan’s board of directors, as well as its political action committee board.

Listing will be succeeded by Amber Roseboom, who previously served in the George W. Bush administration, as well as a senior Bush-Obama transition official. Roseboom has served as Right to Life of Michigan’s vice president of operations since July 2022, and has been involved with the organization since the late ‘90s. Roseboom will assume her new role on Jan. 1.