To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Rachael Denhollander accepts the 'Inspiration of the Year Award' onstage at Sports Illustrated 2018 Sportsperson of the Year Awards Show on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. (Photo: Rich Polk/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated)
Christine Blasey Ford, the college professor who accused now Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, presented Sports Illustrated's Inspiration of the Year Award on Tuesday night to Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar of sexual assault, saying the former gymnast's courage "galvanized future generations to come forward, event when the odds are seemingly stacked against them."
"Her courage inspired other survivors to end their silence. And we all know the result," Blasey Ford said in a video statement presenting the award. "We all have the power to create real change, and we cannot allow ourselves to be defined by the acts of others," the psychology professor added.
\u201cIn her first public statement since September, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford presents Sports Illustrated\u2019s Inspiration of the Year Award to Rachael Denhollander https://t.co/2lBOB9nVDk\u201d— Sports Illustrated (@Sports Illustrated) 1544589544
"Thankful for the gracious words of Dr. Ford and what she has been willing to endure," Denhollander wrote on Twitter. "Be willing to hear the truth and know what it looks like, even and especially in your own communities. That is when it matters the most."
Denhollander, who is now a lawyer, came forward with her accusations against Nasser in 2016. She said the then-USA Gymnastics' team physician repeatedly assaulted her when she was a 15-year-old child. She was far from his only victim.
After Denhollander made her abuse public, hundreds of other victims came forward with their own similar accusations against Nassar. What also came to light was that least a dozen Michigan State University representatives were warned of such allegations but took no action, and the U.S. Olympic Committee was also accused of failing to take appropriate action to stop Nassar from committing crimes against girls.
"This is what it looks like when institutions create a culture where a predator can flourish unafraid and unabated, and this is what it looks like when people in authority refuse to listen, put friendships in front of the truth, fail to create or enforce proper policy, and fail to hold enablers accountable," Denhollander said in court ahead of Nassar's sentencing.
Nassar, who pleaded guilty to child pornography and sexual assault, is spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Commenting on Los Angeles awards event, Denhollander said on Twitter, "may this be the beginning of standing against abuse no matter what community we find it in."
\u201cHad an incredible time at the @SInow Sportsperson of the Year event. Thanks to SI for making it so memorable, and may this be the beginning of standing against abuse no matter what community we find it in.\u201d— Rachael Denhollander (@Rachael Denhollander) 1544594491
Blasey Ford, for her part, detailed her allegations of attempted rape by Kavanaugh before Congress in September. Her testimony sparked protest against Kavanaugh's ultimately successful confirmation and an outpouring of support for Blasey Ford.
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. |
Christine Blasey Ford, the college professor who accused now Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, presented Sports Illustrated's Inspiration of the Year Award on Tuesday night to Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar of sexual assault, saying the former gymnast's courage "galvanized future generations to come forward, event when the odds are seemingly stacked against them."
"Her courage inspired other survivors to end their silence. And we all know the result," Blasey Ford said in a video statement presenting the award. "We all have the power to create real change, and we cannot allow ourselves to be defined by the acts of others," the psychology professor added.
\u201cIn her first public statement since September, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford presents Sports Illustrated\u2019s Inspiration of the Year Award to Rachael Denhollander https://t.co/2lBOB9nVDk\u201d— Sports Illustrated (@Sports Illustrated) 1544589544
"Thankful for the gracious words of Dr. Ford and what she has been willing to endure," Denhollander wrote on Twitter. "Be willing to hear the truth and know what it looks like, even and especially in your own communities. That is when it matters the most."
Denhollander, who is now a lawyer, came forward with her accusations against Nasser in 2016. She said the then-USA Gymnastics' team physician repeatedly assaulted her when she was a 15-year-old child. She was far from his only victim.
After Denhollander made her abuse public, hundreds of other victims came forward with their own similar accusations against Nassar. What also came to light was that least a dozen Michigan State University representatives were warned of such allegations but took no action, and the U.S. Olympic Committee was also accused of failing to take appropriate action to stop Nassar from committing crimes against girls.
"This is what it looks like when institutions create a culture where a predator can flourish unafraid and unabated, and this is what it looks like when people in authority refuse to listen, put friendships in front of the truth, fail to create or enforce proper policy, and fail to hold enablers accountable," Denhollander said in court ahead of Nassar's sentencing.
Nassar, who pleaded guilty to child pornography and sexual assault, is spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Commenting on Los Angeles awards event, Denhollander said on Twitter, "may this be the beginning of standing against abuse no matter what community we find it in."
\u201cHad an incredible time at the @SInow Sportsperson of the Year event. Thanks to SI for making it so memorable, and may this be the beginning of standing against abuse no matter what community we find it in.\u201d— Rachael Denhollander (@Rachael Denhollander) 1544594491
Blasey Ford, for her part, detailed her allegations of attempted rape by Kavanaugh before Congress in September. Her testimony sparked protest against Kavanaugh's ultimately successful confirmation and an outpouring of support for Blasey Ford.
Christine Blasey Ford, the college professor who accused now Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, presented Sports Illustrated's Inspiration of the Year Award on Tuesday night to Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar of sexual assault, saying the former gymnast's courage "galvanized future generations to come forward, event when the odds are seemingly stacked against them."
"Her courage inspired other survivors to end their silence. And we all know the result," Blasey Ford said in a video statement presenting the award. "We all have the power to create real change, and we cannot allow ourselves to be defined by the acts of others," the psychology professor added.
\u201cIn her first public statement since September, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford presents Sports Illustrated\u2019s Inspiration of the Year Award to Rachael Denhollander https://t.co/2lBOB9nVDk\u201d— Sports Illustrated (@Sports Illustrated) 1544589544
"Thankful for the gracious words of Dr. Ford and what she has been willing to endure," Denhollander wrote on Twitter. "Be willing to hear the truth and know what it looks like, even and especially in your own communities. That is when it matters the most."
Denhollander, who is now a lawyer, came forward with her accusations against Nasser in 2016. She said the then-USA Gymnastics' team physician repeatedly assaulted her when she was a 15-year-old child. She was far from his only victim.
After Denhollander made her abuse public, hundreds of other victims came forward with their own similar accusations against Nassar. What also came to light was that least a dozen Michigan State University representatives were warned of such allegations but took no action, and the U.S. Olympic Committee was also accused of failing to take appropriate action to stop Nassar from committing crimes against girls.
"This is what it looks like when institutions create a culture where a predator can flourish unafraid and unabated, and this is what it looks like when people in authority refuse to listen, put friendships in front of the truth, fail to create or enforce proper policy, and fail to hold enablers accountable," Denhollander said in court ahead of Nassar's sentencing.
Nassar, who pleaded guilty to child pornography and sexual assault, is spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Commenting on Los Angeles awards event, Denhollander said on Twitter, "may this be the beginning of standing against abuse no matter what community we find it in."
\u201cHad an incredible time at the @SInow Sportsperson of the Year event. Thanks to SI for making it so memorable, and may this be the beginning of standing against abuse no matter what community we find it in.\u201d— Rachael Denhollander (@Rachael Denhollander) 1544594491
Blasey Ford, for her part, detailed her allegations of attempted rape by Kavanaugh before Congress in September. Her testimony sparked protest against Kavanaugh's ultimately successful confirmation and an outpouring of support for Blasey Ford.