2019 Shortlist
Best in Engagement for Change
Once known simply as a decorated gymnastics champion, Aly Raisman shocked the world in 2017 when she came forward as one of the many victims of sexual abuse at the hands of a U.S. gymnastics team physician. A year later, Rasiman was awarded with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award where she invited more than 140 victims to join her onstage to accept the honor in unison in a stirring moment that instantly went viral.
Raisman has been fearless in her fight to curb future abuse and empower survivors to share their stories, rallying behind legislation/education to help prevent sexual abuse of children and clapping back at victim shamers in empowering posts to her 2M Instagram followers. Her bio which reads “Use social media to spread kindness” undersells the potency with which she uses her platform to fuel change and serve as a role model for millions around the world.
This oversimplification of such a horrific, systemic problem shows a lack of both sensitivity and understanding. The critical issue isn’t why one person was not abused, but why hundreds were (some in public settings w/ others present). https://t.co/oFNwvq1b72
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) April 25, 2019