Owensboro native Hadley Duvall — a survivor of sexual assault and a women’s rights advocate — was in the national spotlight Monday night as a guest speaker during the Democratic National Convention. She spoke with Owensboro Times about the experience and how the whirlwind of the last few months that have taken her advocacy efforts to the highest level.
Last month, Duvall was featured in a campaign ad for the Biden-Harris ticket that premiered during the Republican National Convention. While President Joe Biden withdrew from the race a few days later, Duvall still got the call to continue her national advocacy efforts.
That led to Duvall telling her story to a reported audience of 50,000 people in Chicago’s United Center for the Democratic National Convention on Monday.
Duvall, alongside Amanda and Josh Zurawski of Texas and Kaitlyn Joshua of Louisiana, shared their stories of pregnancy complications, health risks, and the right to an abortion. All three strongly supported Vice President Kamala Harris, the newly minted Democratic Presidential nominee, who made a brief surprise appearance Monday night during the DNC.
“It was the first time I ever got the honor of sharing the stage with Amanda and Kaitlyn, and that in itself, was such a special moment. To be at the DNC was even more special. Really I’m just speechless about it. I’m just so grateful, and my heart is so full that not only do I get to do this, but that little girls get to see me do this as well,” Duvall said.
At age 12, Duvall was impregnated by her stepfather. She miscarried before she had to decide if she would keep the pregnancy. Duvall’s story was the focus of the campaign ad released in July. On the DNC stage, she spoke to the lack of options that have come since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
“There are other survivors out there who have no options, and I want you to know that we see you [and] we hear you,” Duvall said Monday evening.
Duvall said she spent the entire day at the United Center in Chicago. Throughout the day, her attention kept getting drawn to the number of young people in the crowd and behind the scenes, as well as the sheer size and energy of the crowd on the Convention’s opening day.
“I think that’s kind of why the energy is so special,” she said. “Young people have never really been allowed to be heard. Our opinions have always been [seen as] too uneducated, or we didn’t go to the right school, or we don’t come from the right family. As we saw tonight in that crowd, it doesn’t matter where you come from. If you believe in what you believe in, we can all stand up for it together.”
Duvall also ushered in Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to the stage Monday night. He said of Duvall’s story:
“Hadley Duvall is one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. I’m amazed at the courage it takes to share her pain, [and] to share her truth.”
The two worked together during Beshear’s 2023 gubernatorial race against former Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
Over the time they’ve worked together, Duvall said, Beshear has become “a part of her life.” So when the two spent Monday together preparing for their DNC appearances, she said it was like two friends getting together. She is thankful for the support from the governor and his team.
“He’s so genuine. I was introducing him to Amanda, who was on stage with me tonight, and he said, ‘Hi, I’m Hadley’s friend,’ and I was just like, ‘He’s the freaking governor of Kentucky,’ but he is [my friend],” Duvall said.
Though Duvall admits she wouldn’t be on the stage without first the support of Beshear, she thanks Vice President Harris for allowing her to share her story on such a grand stage at the DNC. Harris was not expected to take the stage at the DNC until later this week.
“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her, and to know that she got to be in the building today when we were speaking was so special, and she resonates deeply with my story,” Duvall said. “I was thrilled that she did make the trip over.”
