Remarks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention – Aug. 21, 2024

These last few weeks have been a celebration of women, from cheering on Team USA to supporting Kamala Harris for president. As my mother, Governor Ann Richards, would say, “I hear America singing.” When women are free to make their own decisions about, uh, about their lives and to follow our dreams, we are unstoppable.

But when Roe v. Wade was overturned, a generation of young people lost that freedom. Like Ashley, a 12-year-old rape survivor in Mississippi. Because of her state's abortion ban, she started 7th grade with a newborn. That's the Republican promise of states' rights.

Last year, I became a grandmother. And during my daughter's pregnancy, nothing mattered more to me than her health. Politics should never stand in the way of anyone's healthcare or prevent any family from experiencing the joy my grandson, Teddy, has brought to my life.

One day our children and grandchildren may ask us, “When it was all on the line, what did you do?” And the only acceptable answer is everything we could.

This is our time. This is our time, so let's go elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

PBS NewsHour. “WATCH: Cecile Richards speaks at 2024 Democratic National Convention | 2024 DNC Night 3.” YouTube video, 2:04. Aug. 21, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nJBipFBOP4