A 22-year-old woman, who became an abortion rights advocate after being raped by her stepfather as a child, is set to campaign with first lady Jill Biden in Pennsylvania this weekend as part of a 2024 election push around the anniversary of the fall of Roe v. Wade.
The woman, identified as a survivor of sexual assault, shared her story in a campaign ad supporting Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in Kentucky. In the ad, she highlighted the impact of abortion restrictions, particularly those without exceptions for rape or incest.
Following Beshear's reelection, Democrats credited the woman's ad for motivating rural, male voters who had previously supported Republican candidates.
Now, the advocate is turning her focus to the upcoming White House election and plans to appear alongside Jill Biden at a rally in Pittsburgh on Sunday. The event is part of President Joe Biden's efforts to mobilize voters on abortion rights.
Since the Supreme Court overturned abortion rights in June 2022, roughly half of the states have implemented some form of ban, with 10 states having no exceptions for rape or incest. The consequences of these bans extend beyond limiting access to abortion services.
The advocate emphasized the importance of survivors having the right to make their own choices, especially in cases of rape and incest. She expressed concern over the impact of abortion bans on the lives and futures of women and girls.
The campaign against abortion restrictions includes events in various states, featuring individuals who have been significantly affected by the changes in reproductive health laws. The majority of U.S. adults support legal access to abortion, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy.
In the aftermath of Roe v. Wade's demise, reproductive health in the U.S. has faced challenges, with reports of women experiencing life-threatening situations due to restricted access to emergency care and delayed miscarriage treatment. The campaign aims to highlight these issues as a reason to reelect President Biden.
The advocate, a senior at Midway University in Kentucky, has also spoken out about a state bill that would provide limited exceptions to the state's abortion law.
The woman's decision to publicly share her experience and connect it to the abortion debate underscores the ongoing importance of advocating for reproductive rights.
