Mace's first public disclosure: 'It can take 25 years to get up the courage'

On April 24, 2019, during the South Carolina legislative debate over an abortion bill, Mace made her first public disclosure of her rape history, saying:

"For some of us who have been raped, it can take 25 years to get up the courage and talk about being a victim of rape. My mother and my best friend in high school were the only two people who knew."

The disclosure was made in the context of the bill's rape exception provisions and marked the first time Mace had spoken publicly about the experience.

The date of the speech is April 24, 2019, the day the South Carolina House amended and gave second reading to H.3020, the "fetal heartbeat" bill, by a roll call of 70 to 31 (see the bill history linked below). The May 18 to 19, 2019 date in this page's web address is not the speech date. It is when the Associated Press roundup quoting the speech ran, reporting that "In April, when she finally broke her silence, she chose the most public of forums."

Source: Associated Press (this link may refuse automated and some regional visitors) · archived · AP story as published by The Spokesman-Review, May 18, 2019. Floor date confirmed by SC Legislature H.3020 bill history