Yesterday evening former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley gave the keynote address at the national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List’s 12th annual Campaign for Life Gala at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell accepted SBA List’s 2019 Distinguished Leader Award. Hon. Diane Black of Tennessee gave special remarks, and longtime pro-life advocate and businesswoman Kathy Ireland served as Mistress of Ceremonies.
Haley’s keynote address was livestreamed and will be archived online. In her remarks she called out the false feminism of extremists who support abortion on demand through birth and even infanticide and offered encouragement to pro-life advocates (click to read a full transcript):
Unfortunately, many on the left use the abortion debate to divide women and demand conformity. They do this in the name of feminism.
But that is not real feminism. The idea that women must adhere to a particular set of values is one of the most anti-women ideas in today’s culture. It is a rejection of the ideas of equality and tolerance that the women’s movement is supposed to be about.
As a pro-life, female governor, I was blessed with a unique platform, and I made every effort to use it appropriately. Not to lob attacks at people who disagreed with me, not to diminish the other side, but to reframe the debate. To explain that being pro-life is not about being for or against women. It is about being for a baby’s right to live – the most basic right there is.
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“…We should all step back and remember to be grateful, because on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America. A place where life is valued and protected.
And yet, today, in this country, our leaders debate whether a baby born after a failed abortion has a right to live.
Let that sink in for a minute. It is something you might hear about in other parts of the world or something out of a horror movie. Not here. Not in America.
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In so many other aspects, human life is a priority in our country. …Respect for human life is who we are as Americans. It is right there in the Declaration of Independence. You can’t have liberty and the pursuit of happiness without the right to life.
That’s why Susan B. Anthony List’s work is so important. You understand we need laws – and lawmakers – who will protect the right to life.
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The most important thing I did as Governor and at the United Nations was use the power of my voice to make a difference. When we refuse to sit on the sidelines – when we refuse to be followers against our consciences – we can quite literally change the world.
I will always encourage people to use the power of their voices on behalf of freedom, justice, and life. Because you can’t truly stand for America if you don’t stand for ALL Americans, including the babies who don’t yet have a voice.
SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser spoke about unprecedented pro-life momentum in 2019 and introduced Haley (click to read a full transcript), saying:
Going into 2020, abortion extremists are giving us an unlikely gift. They know the Roe regime is rapidly unwinding and coming to end. They are overreaching…
The unintended consequence? They’ve unleashed a tidal wave of pro-life momentum. Part of America that has been sitting on the sidelines is awakening to the human cost of failing to engage in this battle. State lawmakers, acting on their constituents’ will, have been emboldened to advance pro-life legislation like never before, introducing more than 375 pro-life bills this year alone. In Missouri, Alabama, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Utah, Louisiana – across the nation we’ve seen strong bills that protect unborn children when they can feel pain, when their heartbeat can be detected, or throughout pregnancy; bills that stop discriminatory race, sex-selection and Down syndrome abortions. We have seen protections signed into law by courageous pro-life governors, many advanced by women of our Pro-Life Women’s Caucus. We will not let up on that momentum for an instant.
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The Honorable Nikki Haley is a pro-life leader of inspiring strength, character and integrity. She is a model for what SBA List seeks in our women leaders in politics who give voice to the millions of pro-life women across America. She rejects the now outdated feminist model that somehow abortion would be the Great Liberator for women.
The Campaign for Life Gala is Susan B. Anthony List’s premier event of the year, to raise funds for our ongoing work to go on offense for life, elect pro-life champions, and enact lifesaving legislation. It has also become a must-stop for pro-life presidents and presidential hopefuls. Previous speakers at the event include President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR), Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Carly Fiorina, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN).
As governor of South Carolina, Haley signed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act into law. As ambassador to the United Nations, she championed the human rights of unborn children and their mothers. During negotiations at the Commission on the Status of Women, Haley notably worked to omit pro-abortion language from conversations concerning the family. She also promoted the expansion of the Global Protect Life policy, or Mexico City Policy, to stop taxpayer funding of the abortion industry overseas.
