THE STRENGTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY TO OVERCOME THE SOCIAL STIGMAS AND FACE HEAD ON CRITICS OF HER BELIEFS IS STRONGER THAT CRITICISM–AS MISS USA CONFRONTS WHO SHE WAS AND WHO SHE IS WITHOUT QUESTIONS–FOR THE WILL TO LOVE, HELP AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IS GREATER THAN THE CRITICS–MISS USA CONTESTANT STANDS STRONG AS A WOMAN BORN FROM RAPE

Miss Pennsylvania Valerie Gatto, a contestant on last night’s Miss USA pageant, described herself as a “product of rape” in an interview with TODAY.com. Gatto revealed she was conceived after her mother was raped at knifepoint by a stranger.

Gatto is using her experience and status to educate women about sexual assault and to provide an example of someone who rose above her situation to achieve success.

“I believe God put me here for a reason,” Gatto told TODAY.com. “To inspire people, to encourage them, to give them hope that everything is possible and you can’t let your circumstances define your life.”

Gatto’s mother originally hid the pregnancy from her family and intended on putting her up for adoption, but was dissuaded the night Gatto was born.

“Valerie’s mom told her family about her adoption plans,” Gatto’s biography reads. “But Valerie’s great-grandmother said – God doesn’t give you more than you can handle. Her mother listened and decided to raise Valerie with the help of God and her family.”

http://dailysignal.com/2014/06/09/miss-usa-contestant-says-product-rape/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_term=headline&utm_content=1400607&utm_campaign=saturday