MASON CITY, Iowa - January 22nd marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in the United States. Each year since 1974, around the time of the anniversary, pro-life activists from across the country converge on the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington for the March for Life, in the hopes of having the decision overturned. 

"Our students are overwhelmed when they see the vast number that believe in the same thing they do."

This year will mark the 7th time Mary Beth Anzivino-Barnes has taken part in the March.

"You're marching with mothers, fellow students, college students, brothers, friars, deacons, sisters, priests, dads, aunts, uncles, you name it."

During one of the times she went to the March, she heard from a father who shared his own experience with abortion.

"It caught me off guard, because I didn't look at it from the man's perspective,.I was always looking from the mother's side of making that choice of to keep a baby, not keep a baby. That father has rights too, and it affected him as much."

Abortion isn't the only reason why she's marching.

"Teaching high school for 20+ years, I also march for my students. I've lost students to suicide. Mental health is a huge issue, they need to know that their life matters and that they're important."

In North Iowa, groups from Garner and Mason City will be boarding buses on Wednesday and heading cross country to the Nation's Capital, while meeting other caravans in the Dubuque area along the way.

Two of the students going this year include Senior Grace Clark and Junior Maddy Kollasch.

"I've gone to NCYC, which is the National Catholic Youth Conference, and something about being surrounded by a lot of people who have the same faith as you do, and standing up for the unborn really speaks to me," Clark says.

"I always knew it was kind of big, but actually being there and being a part of it, it's so cool to see everyone come," Kollasch adds.

In addition to the national march, the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life will host their own march in St. Paul on the State Capitol Grounds.