Bethany Hamilton, a champion surfer and keynote speaker at the 52nd Annual March for Life, shared a message of hope on the National Mall that cascaded over the large crowd like the Hawaiian waves she once rode.
This year’s theme, “Life: Why we March,” focused on acknowledging the humanity of each person, while also highlighting the need to protect and support both mother and child through the thousands of resources available to them. Speakers included Vice President J.D. Vance, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis; U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ); Dr. Catherine Wheeler, Obstetrician; Josiah Presley, abortion survivor; Lila Rose, president, Live Action; and Jennie Bradley Lichter, President-Elect of the March for Life, among others.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the March for Life at this pivotal moment,” Jennie Bradley Lichter said. “I couldn’t be more excited to share the stage with dedicated elected officials, pro-life leaders, and other great Americans who will share their testimonies about why they fight for Life. This year’s lineup is a reminder of the enduring strength of our movement.”
Hamilton, a mother of four, recalled how, after losing her arm in a shark attack at age 13, she doubted whether she would ever surf again.
“My life felt upside down,” she said. “I didn’t know what my future held. Someone came alongside me and gave me hope that I could surf with one arm. They gave me a hint of inspiration. It not only gave me the courage and bravery to do what I hadn’t seen anyone else do, surf with one arm, it also ignited a desire in me to try something that I hadn’t seen anyone else do.”
One month after losing her arm, Bethany returned to surfing. Within two years, she won her first national surfing title.
Of course, that’s the story everyone already knew. It was chronicled in a book and hit movie, Soul Surfer. At the March, she also shared a very candid moment, recalling her first pregnancy and the fear that surrounded it.
“I didn’t think I could do it,” she said. “I don’t know where that thought came frocid:f_m6h1gmlq0m. I came from a great family, a Christian household. I was married to a wonderful man, and all of a sudden I was rejecting this God-given gift of beauty that was only a blessing. What made me think that I wasn’t ready?”
Hamilton shared that she struggled with the impact having a baby might have on her surfing career. She also reflected on the powerful influence of cultural narratives, which often perpetuate lies about children and family, leaving many women feeling uncertain or conflicted.
“I had all the support in the world to bring this life, but imagine the woman who doesn’t have the support?…She’s struggling to have hope. She is fed with lies that tell her she can’t do it, and that life has no value. She’s scared. She’s alone. She’s overwhelmed. She feels like her life is upside down. She’s being told that death is better than life.”
Hamilton, who has said her greatest joy is being a wife and a mother, exhorted the crowd to support and encourage young women facing pregnancy decisions. She also cited the need to raise up a generation of young men who will “do the right thing” and serve them.
“God has called us to protect life and to love our neighbor, to come alongside of that young man and women who are thinking of choosing death and bring them hope,” Hamilton said. “When I lost my arm, someone came alongside me and gave me hope. They reminded me of God’s love and that maybe there was more to my life than I knew was possible.”
Hamilton’s words reflect Care Net’s Pro Abundant Life vision of not only saving babies from abortion but helping women and men build strong families and helping people become disciples of Jesus Christ.
Being there to provide hope and support during a time of crisis was also a theme emphasized by other speakers. Rep. Chris Smith described the March as an invitation to recommit and rededicate ourselves to defending the weakest and most vulnerable. He urged tangible assistance for women, particularly through the extraordinary work of pregnancy care centers, “to protect their precious babies as well as their lives.”
Vice President JD Vance spoke about the responsibility to cherish and protect life, and the importance of the nation being “pro-family and pro-life in the fullest sense.” He thanked the attendees for being “an extraordinary example,” bolstering the movement with acts of compassion and support.
“You donate to diaper banks; you help find housing for those in need. You help fund the crisis pregnancy centers that give help to young women and young men in a time of crisis,” he said. “You guys are the beating heart of the pro-life movement. You have saved many lives already and you’re going to save more again…This March is a reminder of the incredible strength and unity of the pro-life movement. Thank you for being here.”
Photo credit: Bethany Hamilton Press.