By Josue Sierra
More than 900 supporters and new friends gathered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, for Pennsylvania Family Institute’s annual Friends of the Family Banquet this past Saturday October 10, featuring an inspiring keynote address from Fox News co-host, bestselling author, and mother of nine Rachel Campos-Duffy.
With humor, personal stories, and a passionate defense of biblical truth, Rachel challenged attendees to stand courageously for life, celebrate motherhood, and defend the God-given dignity of every human being.
In an email to those in attendance, Michael Geer, President of PA Family Institute, noted, “Rachel spoke candidly about some of the most troubling issues facing our nation today, from the sanctity of human life to the lies of gender ideology and the confusion being sown in the hearts and minds of our children. She didn’t shy away from difficult truths. And I’m glad she didn’t.”
Every Life Is Worth Celebrating
One of the evening’s most moving moments came as Rachel introduced the audience to her youngest daughter, seven-year-old Valentina, who was born with Down syndrome. “Through Valentina, we are learning patience. We’re learning compassion, authentic tolerance, and unconditional love,” Rachel shared. “She teaches us to be in the moment.”
A heartwarming video of Valentina’s morning routine gave attendees a glimpse of the joy she brings to her family. But Rachel’s story also carried a sobering reminder about the pressure expectant mothers often face following a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis.
When Valentina enrolled in school, Rachel learned she was the first student with Down syndrome there in more than a decade. “As a mom of nine, I can tell you that Valentina is as happy, as sweet, and as human as all of my other children.”
Her message was clear: Human dignity is not determined by ability, genetic makeup, or society’s definition of a life worth living.
Defending Motherhood and God’s Design
Rachel also challenged the cultural ideologies that increasingly diminish motherhood, deny biological reality, and treat the differences between men and women as obstacles rather than gifts.
From men competing in women’s sports to the replacement of “mother” with terms like “birthing person,” Rachel described how radical feminist ideology has undermined the very women it claims to defend.
At the heart of her message was a beautiful biblical truth: “A mother’s love for her child is a reflection of God’s unconditional love for humanity.”
She reminded attendees that defending life means more than opposing abortion. It means affirming God’s good design for men, women, marriage, and family. “Today, being pro-life is more than opposing abortion and euthanasia. It means making the case for our gender and for motherhood itself.”
The Christian Legacy of Protecting the Vulnerable
Perhaps Rachel’s most compelling argument came as she reflected on Christianity’s long history of defending vulnerable children.
In ancient Rome, unwanted infants were frequently abandoned and left to die. Early Christians responded by rescuing and caring for those children, motivated by a revolutionary biblical truth: imago Dei, the belief that every human being is created in God’s image.
“For Christians, that helpless, unwanted child was as valuable as the emperor of the Roman Empire,” Rachel explained. That same worldview continues to inspire the pro-life movement today.
“When our culture tells women that unplanned pregnancies will ruin their lives, pro-lifers help women see that unplanned pregnancies can be unplanned joy.”
Rachel praised the compassion and courage of those who support vulnerable mothers, defend unborn children, and refuse to accept a culture that measures human worth by convenience or ability. “We Christians have a very, very long history of saving babies.”
Why PA Family Institute’s Work Matters
Rachel praised Pennsylvania Family Institute’s comprehensive work defending life, marriage, family, religious freedom, and educational opportunity.
The evening celebrated what God is accomplishing through PA Family Institute and its faithful supporters. Four short videos highlighted the nearly 7,000 Pennsylvanians who gathered for the 2026 PA March for Life, our efforts to strengthen Christian education, the next generation of leaders being equipped through our City on the Hill conference, and a special message from Daniel Di Martino on the importance of defending freedom.
- 2026 PA March for Life Recap — See highlights from the nearly 7,000 Pennsylvanians who gathered in Harrisburg to stand for the sanctity of human life.
- Pennsylvania Christian Education Network — Discover how we’re bringing Christian schools together to strengthen biblical education and protect their freedom to teach the truth.
- City on the Hill: Raising Up Future Leaders — Hear directly from high school students whose lives are being shaped through biblical worldview training and leadership development.
- Daniel Di Martino: City on the Hill Keynote Address Recap — We shared a short clip of Daniel’s inspiring message at the banquet. You can watch the entire message on the importance of freedom, the dangers of socialism, and why the next generation must be prepared to defend liberty.
With Roe v. Wade overturned, much of the battle over abortion policy has shifted to the states.
“That is why the work you are doing here in Pennsylvania is so important,” Rachel emphasized. “The work is at the state level now.” She encouraged PA Family’s efforts to equip young people to engage in the legislative process and defend foundational principles.
Her message was a timely reminder that protecting families and advancing biblical truth requires faithful engagement in our communities, churches, schools, courts, and the State Capitol.
A Call to Be Happy Warriors
Rachel concluded with a moving comparison between the abolitionists who fought slavery and today’s defenders of unborn children.
Quoting Frederick Douglass’s 1852 Independence Day address, she challenged attendees:
“Stand by those principles. Be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever the cost.”
Then came her closing charge:
“So I ask us tonight to recommit to our noble cause, to be happy warriors as we fight to preserve liberty and life for our sons and daughters, both born and unborn.”
To the more than 900 supporters and new friends who joined us in Hershey, thank you!
Your prayers, generosity, and faithful partnership make this work possible. Together, we will continue standing for a Pennsylvania where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished.
