A story of beauty from ashes in more ways than one has surfaced out of an interview with former Miss Pennsylvania. She reveals to have been conceived in rape and advocates for every human life to have protection. 

Liveaction.org reports that when former Miss Pennsylvania, Valerie Gatto, was in third grade, she found out the difficult truth that she had been conceived when her mother was raped at knifepoint.

Gatto’s mother was only 19 years old when the attack occurred.  It is believed that the assailant had plans to murder her as well, but says those plans were thwarted when a bright light from an unknown source appeared. This light gave Gatto’s mother the ability to get up and run away before he could do further harm to her.  Gatto says,

“I like to think of that light as my mother’s and (my) guardian angel.”

In an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Gatto says her mother always told her, “I was her light.”

Soon after the attack, Gatto’s mother discovered she was pregnant.  According to an interview with Gatto for CBS Pittsburgh, her mother never considered abortion. She did have plans to put her daughter up for adoption, but after Gatto was born, her grandmother reminded her daughter that God does not give us more than we can handle.  She convinced Gatto’s mother to raise her little girl herself.

Gatto was raised going to church each Sunday and, as a result, faith became an important part of her life.  According the Gatto’s website, her mother was put in charge of the food pantry at their church, delivering food baskets for those in need.  She would bring Gatto with her and this service driven life encouraged Valerie to volunteer in various capacities as well.

Additionally, her mother’s story of rape and survival has given her a deep desire to help other women learn how to protect themselves from sexual assault.  “I hope to make a difference and shed a light on sexual assault and rape for young women,” Gatto says.

As she anticipates using her platform to inspire many with her life and story, Gatto firmly believes God has put her on this earth for a special reason.

“I knew God put me here for a purpose, and he’s the reason my mother and I were saved,“ she says. “I want to do him proud and my family proud.  If I did just sit there and think, ‘Why did this happen?’ or ‘Does my father know I exist?’ and be scared and let the fear of the unknown stop me, I wouldn’t be living my life. He put me here to do great things, and I’m not going to let that stop me.”

Liveaction.org article / TRUNEWS summary.