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Mary-Louise Kurey

As a high school student, Mary-Louise believed that sexual activity before marriage was a personal choice. She chose to wait, but the choices of others, she felt, were none of her business. Then at age 15, teen pregnancy forced a high school friend to relinquish her dreams in order to care for her baby. In college, a close friend suffered a nervous breakdown from post-abortion trauma. Witnessing the devastating and irreversible consequences of pre-marital sex, Mary-Louise heard the calling to share her insights with youth, in hopes that her personal testimony would make a difference in their lives. There were efforts to dissuade her from taking this issue as her platform when she competed at the Miss America Pageant. But she sacrificed the security and comfort of political correctness to stay true to her convictions, and to her sincere concern for the future of America’s youth.

Mary-Louise testified before Congress on April 11, 2002 on the effectiveness of abstinence education programs before the House Ways and Means subcommittee on Human Resources. A full-time youth motivational speaker and author, Mary-Louise has addressed more than 130,000 teens and college students in 21 states about postponing sexual activity until marriage, and "making a new beginning" for those who have been sexually active.

She has been a guest on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher five times, and has been interviewed on many other national programs, including Sally Jessy Raphael, Inside Edition and Janet Parshall's America. She continues to serve as a National Spokeswoman for the Best Friends Foundation, based in Washington, D.C.

Mary-Louise's first book, Standing With Courage: Confronting Tough Decisions about Sex , has been acclaimed across the country. In her book, she shares her experiences from speaking to youth nationwide, the excitement of competing in the Miss America System, and the joys of living out abstinence in her own life.

"My grandfather used to say, 'Every child is born into the world with a message–a light–clutched in his hand. But if that child is lost, that child’s light and message is lost to the world forever.'

"I sincerely believe that every child has something special to contribute to society. Each of us has the duty and privilege of nurturing and guiding young people, so that they can achieve their dreams and bring their own personal light to the world.

"We are on the cusp of a tremendous opportunity–to fan the flames of the New Sexual Revolution, which is sweeping across our nation. Unfortunately, today too many young people don’t fulfill their potential because of their involvement in high-risk behaviors, such as drug use, violence, and premarital sex. All too often, we hear of tragedies such as the one at Columbine High School, where young people fail to find purpose and meaning in their lives. Feelings of hopelessness and indifference about their futures and a desperate need for love all too often compel young people to make choices that can come with devastating consequences.

"In addition to sharing the benefits I experience from postponing sex until marriage, I give students the straight talk on the risks and consequences of premarital sex. But more importantly, I emphasize the future of promise that awaits all teens and young adults who embrace empowering choices and create a positive vision for their futures. Every teen and young adult deserves to know that he or she is worth waiting for, regardless of past actions. Their sexuality is a beautiful gift, a precious gift–so precious that it’s worth saving for the one person who makes a lifetime commitment to love them fully and unconditionally.

"The abstinence movement is being led not by adults, but by young people, and they are searching for truth and meaning in all aspects of their lives."