Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Rachael Soto was appointed executive director of Pregnancy Center North in Towson, effective January 1. This follows the long tenure of Cindy Ritter, who retired at the end of December. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

New director answers call at Pregnancy Center North


By
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Respect Life

Rachael Soto had lived within walking distance of Pregnancy Center North for years without ever knowing it existed. 

Then, in 2015, she answered an ad in her St. Pius X Parish bulletin about helping start a respect life ministry in her faith community. The stay-at-home mother of four soon found herself knocking on the doors of the pro-life pregnancy center, then located a few blocks from her home in Rodgers Forge. 

“I just walked up there and introduced myself one day,” Soto remembered. “After I spoke with them, I was hooked.” 

Rachael Soto, the new executive director of Pregnancy Center North in Towson, is a mother of four who lives in Rodgers Forge. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

What began as volunteering – assisting with a Walk for Life, encouraging supporters to attend the annual fundraising banquet and promoting parish projects – grew into a leadership role. Within a few years, Soto became the center’s development director. She eventually stepped away to care full-time for her aging in-laws, but continued volunteering as a client advocate. 

More than a decade after answering that first ad and making a cold-call visit, Soto is back. 

She now leads Pregnancy Center North as its executive director, stepping into the role Jan. 1. She succeeds her friend and mentor, Cindi Ritter. 

“To me, the sanctity of life means living out the greatest commandments the Lord gave us – to love God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and to love your neighbor as yourself,” said Soto, now a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. “At Pregnancy Center North, we strive to be open to the Holy Spirit so that God can love our clients through us.” 

A native of upstate New York, Soto lived that openness while caring for her in-laws in her home, offering love and dignity as God prepared them for death. It reflects her belief that every person is made in the image of God.  

As the sixth of 10 children, Soto said she grew up in a family that celebrated the sanctity of life. 

“It was always very natural for me to see children as a gift,” she said. “They were a joy, no matter the circumstances.” 

Soto holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Brockport and a master’s in social work from Fordham University in New York. Over the years, she has worked with children in group home facilities, raised funds for an inner-city scholarship program for the Archdiocese of New York and served as development director of Dominican Academy in New York, an all-girls Catholic school. She also has counseled and provided outreach to the homeless. 

In her new role at Pregnancy Center North, Soto hopes to increase awareness of the services the center offers. 

“We have to increase our marketing budget to reach our clients on the internet,” she said. “That’s the main way to reach women and for them to learn about us.” 

She also hopes to add professional staff and expand educational offerings related to fertility awareness and natural fertility care. She is encouraged by new initiatives, including a Bible study, already taking shape. 

“I would like us to be a resource for women – maybe have more group meetings relating to pregnancy and parenting,” she said. “I think that would be a great support for young parents today. I think it’s harder for them to find that network.”  

Email George P. Matysek Jr. at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org

Also read: Pregnancy center director’s vision offers hope over fear

Read More Respect Life

Copyright © 2026 Catholic Review Media

Print Print