Kentucky mom Hadley Duvall who was impregnated by her stepdad at 12 shares gut-wrenching story at DNC

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Kentucky native Hadley Duvall has become a household name not just in her home state, but across the nation. Her story — which she bravely shared with millions on a national stage — is both heartbreaking and powerful.

Duvall, from Owensboro, Kentucky, experienced horror at the hands of her kin when she was just 12. She was raped by her stepfather and became pregnant with his child. The traumatic incident would eventually culminate in her advocacy for abortion rights in the US.

Hadley Duvall's advocacy for abortion rights at DNC

Hadley Duvall’s tragic story first came to light during Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s reelection campaign, where she was featured in a campaign ad.

The commercial not only showcased her personal story but also underscored the importance of abortion rights - a theme that has gained traction especially following the overturning of Roe v Wade.

On Monday night, August 19, Duvall took her advocacy to an even larger platform — the Democratic National Convention (DNC) — where she recounted her experience and made a compelling case for the protection of reproductive rights.

Duvall did not shy away from talking about the harsh realities of her situation. During her speech at the DNC, she accused former President Donald Trump of calling total abortion bans "a beautiful thing."

Duvall asked, "What is so beautiful about a child having to carry her parent's child?" eliciting a gasp from the audience at the United Center, WHAS 11 reported.

Though Duvall eventually miscarried, she stressed the importance of having options available to her at the time. "There are other survivors out there who have no options," she lamented.

These bans have become more widespread since the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade in June 2022, leaving many women with no legal recourse to terminate a pregnancy.

"I want you to know we see you, we hear you," Duvall said, addressing other survivors. "Kamala Harris will sign a national law to restore the right to an abortion."

Governor Andy Beshear’s support and Hadley Duvall's impact

Following Duvall’s speech, Governor Beshear took the stage and praised her bravery.

"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."

Beshear believes Duvall's ad played a huge role in his reelection, especially for its impact on rural, male voters who had previously supported Trump.

In the ad, Duvall not only recounted her story but also called out Beshear’s Republican opponent, Daniel Cameron, for his stance on abortion. "Anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what it’s like to stand in my shoes," she declared.

Duvall’s story has also inspired legislative efforts. In Kentucky, lawmakers attempted to pass Senate Bill 99, also known as "Hadley’s Law," which would have allowed exceptions to the state's abortion ban for survivors of rape or incest and in cases where the pregnancy threatened the mother’s life.

The bill, however, failed to pass during the legislative session.

On a national level, Duvall has continued to advocate for these rights, even joining first lady Jill Biden on the campaign trail as part of President Biden's reelection efforts. She has also appeared alongside Vice President Harris and has continued to support Governor Beshear in his advocacy.

Ramifications of Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade

The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade in June 2022, has arguably had profound and far-reaching consequences. Since the ruling, approximately half of the states in the US have enacted some form of abortion ban, with Kentucky being one of ten states that do not allow exceptions for rape or incest.

Duvall's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human impact of these laws.

“Survivors like me have our childhood taken away from us, and it’s something we are healing from every single day. At the very least, we deserve to have our own choices," Duvall told The Associated Press.

"But, because of Donald Trump, right now there are abortion bans across the country with no exceptions for rape or incest. I feel like I owe it to myself and to a lot of little girls to speak up. They can’t speak up and I can -- and our lives and futures are at stake in this election."