CHICAGO — Kentucky-native Hadley Duvall has gained national attention and become a leading voice in the reproductive freedom movement since sharing her story publicly.
Duvall first spoke out publicly about being a rape survivor last year during Gov. Andy Beshear’s reelection campaign.
On Monday night, she told her story once again to millions of people watching across the country at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago.
Duvall, of Owensboro, was raped by her stepfather at 12 years old. She became pregnant and miscarried. Her stepfather was later convicted of rape and is in prison.
"[Donald Trump] calls [total abortion bans] a 'beautiful thing,'" she said. "What is so beautiful about a child having to carry her parent's child?"
An audible gasp could be heard inside the United Center after delivering that remark.
"Hadley Duvall is one of the bravest people I've ever met," Beshear said after she introduced him to the stage. "All women should have the freedom to make their own decisions. Freedom over their own bodies. Freedom about whether to pursue IVF. Freedom about whether to have children at all."
In a campaign ad released last September, Duvall called out Beshear's 2023 GOP opponent for governor, Daniel Cameron.
Throughout his campaign and time as Kentucky's attorney general, Cameron was an advocate for Kentucky's two laws restricting abortion. During a news conference in June 2022, the same day Roe vs. Wade was struck down, he said, "We must commit to defending and implementing these laws," and added "there is no rape or incest exception."
"Anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what it’s like to stand in my shoes,” Duvall said in Beshear's campaign ad.
Democrats have credited Duvall’s ad as a strong motivator for Beshear’s reelection, particularly among rural, male voters who had previously voted for Republican Donald Trump for president.
Kentucky is one of 10 states without abortion exceptions for rape and incest.
RELATED: Who is Hadley Duvall? Abortion rights advocate from Owensboro will introduce Andy Beshear at DNC
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