CHICAGO — Kentuckians have known the name Hadley Duvall for some time, but on Monday night, millions of people across the country heard her emotional story.
Duvall, of Owensboro, was raped by her stepfather when she was 12 years old. She became pregnant with his child.
She was featured in an ad for Gov. Andy Beshear last year during his reelection campaign and became a vocal advocate for abortion rights across the United States. On Monday, she stood on the DNC stage and told her story.
"[Donald Trump] calls [total abortion bans] a 'beautiful thing,'" Duvall said. "What is so beautiful about a child having to carry her parent's child?"
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An audible gasp could be heard inside the United Center after delivering that remark.
Duvall experienced a miscarriage, but spoke about the importance of having options when she was 12. Those options no longer exist in several states that have enacted total abortion bans, including Kentucky, since Roe vs. Wade was overturned.
"There are other survivors out there who have no options," Duvall said. "I want you to know we see you, we hear you. Kamala Harris will sign a national law to restore the right to an abortion."
Duvall introduced Beshear, who spoke in primetime Monday night. The bulk of his speech focused on reproductive rights for women.
"Hadley Duvall is one of the bravest people I've ever met," he said. "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."
