Thousands of pro-life supporters from around the country converged in Washington D.C. on Friday (Jan. 24) for the 52nd annual March for Life rally. Among the special guests at the event were newly sworn-in Vice President JD Vance and surfer Bethany Hamilton, who was the keynote speaker.
Before Vance walked on stage, Hamilton shared challenges of being both a pro surfer and a mother after losing her arm in a shark attack years before while surfing. Hamilton, who was 13 when she lost her arm, is known by many for her faith, determination and getting back on a surfboard within weeks of the attack. Her story was the subject of the film “Soul Surfer.” Today, she is a motivational speaker, she continues to surf, and is a married mother to four children. She acknowledged that when she first realized she was going to be a mom, she struggled with doubt that she could care for a child.
‘Beautiful blessing’
“Now being a mother of four, they are my greatest joy, the most beautiful blessing,” she told the crowd. “They are the high of my every single day. Yes, there’s challenges and yes it’s a difficult at times, but the beauty sure outweighs the challenge. … They are truly the greatest blessing that God has to offer us alongside His grace.”
She went on to urge the crowd to continue to help struggling young mothers who have doubts and need someone to encourage and help them.
“When I lost my arm, someone came alongside of me and gave me hope,” she recalled. “They reminded me of God’s love and that maybe there was more to my life. … These women need hope. They need encouragement. They need light in their life, and we as a society need to combat the lies that are being fed to them each and every day.”
Raising thriving families
Following a pre-recorded greeting by President Trump, Vice President Vance spoke to the crowd. He noted that we live in a society where “a culture of radical individualism took root, and the responsibilities and joys of family life were seen as obstacles to overcome, not as personal fulfillment or personal blessings.”
Vance went on to say, “We need a culture that recognizes life at all stages and truly believes that the benchmark of national success is not our GDP numbers or our stock market but whether people feel they can raise thriving and healthy families in our country.”
He noted the Trump administration would continue to fight for the sanctity of life and those who peacefully carry that message. A day before the rally, Trump pardoned 23 pro-life activists who had been convicted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
“No longer will our government throw pro-life protesters and activists, elderly grandparents or anybody else in prison,” Vance said. “You guys are the beating heart of the pro-life movement, and you have already saved many lives already — and you’re gonna save many more again.”
Vance added, “The March for Life is not just a single event that happens on a frigid January day. … You make it possible for us to stand here and say America is fundamentally a pro-baby, a pro-life and a pro-family country.”
For more stories related to March for Life, see links below.
Southern Baptists join thousands at the 52nd March for Life -Baptist Press
10 Things to Know About ‘Soul Surfer’ Bethany Hamilton, Keynote Speaker at the March for Life -National Catholic Register
JD Vance to March for Life attendees: ‘No longer will our gov’t throw pro-life protesters in prison’ -Christian Post
At March for Life, crowd roars as GOP leaders renew anti-abortion vows -Religion News Service
NOTE: The links above are a sampling of headlines related to story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.
