CHICAGO – A Texas woman who says she was forced to leave her home state to obtain a potentially life-saving abortion delivered a speech during the Lone Star States’ roll call Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.
Kate Cox shared her testimony and highlighted the threat of severe repercussions due to the restrictive abortion laws in Texas, underscoring the ongoing national debate over reproductive rights.
The 32-year-old mother of two faced a dire medical situation last year when she was diagnosed with a severe pregnancy complication.
Under Texas’s stringent abortion laws, Cox was unable to receive the necessary medical intervention within the state. Forced to travel out of state, she ultimately obtained the life-saving procedure that Texas law had denied her.
Speaking to an audience at the DNC, Cox recounted her experience, emphasizing the physical and emotional toll it took on her and her family.
“No one should have to leave their home, their community, and their support network to receive basic medical care,” she declared.
“There’s nothing pro-family about abortion bans. There’s nothing pro-life about letting women suffer and even die,” Cox stated.
Her speech drew widespread attention, serving as a powerful reminder of the real-world consequences of restrictive abortion legislation.
Cox’s appearance at the DNC was part of a broader effort by the POLITICS to spotlight issues of reproductive justice and healthcare access, championed by Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz. Cox, who is now a reproductive rights activist, now travels to speak about struggles faced by many women in states with stringent abortion laws. Her story has galvanized activists and lawmakers alike to push for more comprehensive reproductive healthcare policies.
The convention provided a platform for Cox to urge policymakers to reconsider the impact of restrictive laws on women’s health and autonomy. In sharing her personal story, she added a human face to the statistics and legal battles surrounding reproductive rights across the country.
Cox ended her speech with a major announcement, saying that as of that day, she and her husband were expecting a healthy baby which would have not been possible if she hadn’t received the prior abortion.
“Today, because I found a way to access abortion care, I am pregnant again,” Cox said.