At age 14, a close relative of mine was sexually assaulted by a man in a family home in Maine. At age 21, she still had not shared this information with anyone and continued to live with that pain. At age 29, she finally revealed her experiences to our family. She is one of the thousands of young women and men that get sexually assaulted and don’t share it for years, or ever. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police. In other words, out of 100 sexual assaults, 63 of those victims will walk away and not say anything about their experience to authorities. Recently, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a professor of psychology at Palo Alto University, spoke out about her sexual assault that occurred 36 years ago, claiming the perpetrator was Brett Kavanaugh, our newest Supreme Court Justice.

What made her come forward and talk about this traumatic time in her life after years of keeping it bottled up from everyone apart from her therapist? In my opinion, the answer is simple: she wanted to protect our country’s government from a man who she feels violated her and will not do our country justice. In her eyes, Brett Kavanaugh is unfit for the Supreme Court and the only way she feels she can make her point is by ruining her life in the process. After revealing her sexual assault, Dr. Ford received death threats, was forced to move out of her home, had to hire private security, and now, is unable to live her life peacefully. Similarly, Judge Kavanaugh and his family received a number of threats. The difference between the two is he still holds the highest position in the United States Courts and she lost a peaceful life.

Following the hearings where Dr. Ford spoke of her memories of that fateful night in front of the US Senate Judiciary Committee, Judge Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court. Along with Dr. Ford’s touching testimony that gave her more credibility, Judge Kavanaugh’s reaction to the questioning was competitive, hostile, and defensive, proving that he is not fit to be unbiased and fair as a justice. He reacted with immense hostility and left many questions unanswered. Whether you are a Republican or Democrat and whether you believe Dr. Ford or you don’t, confirming Judge Kavanaugh was the wrong decision because he is unfit for such a prestigious position.

Despite the Kavanaugh’s confirmation, Dr. Ford sparked a wave of anger among women in America and around the world, driving them to demand the justice, representation, and support they deserve. While this had always been something that was talked about, I believe this is a new era for women. We are angry, we are ready to fight, and we have the right to do so.

To me, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is a hero. Not because she came forward about her sexual assault, but because she continues to have the courage to stand up for what she believes is right. She did not have to share her story, nor did she have to endure the hate she continues to receive. She has inspired me and millions of American women to speak up for what they believe. Millions of young women and men are calling their senators and demanding action. Millions are walking the streets in protest, speaking their minds. Millions are starting campaigns online, voicing their anger. I believe this all started with one woman and that woman will never have the life she had before because of it.

Dr. Ford, I applaud you and your immense courage, endurance, and heart. You have changed this country, precipitated the turning point in our conversations about sexual assault so that it is no longer a taboo subject in the United States. Everyone else, we deserve to be angry. Use that anger to generate the necessary change this country needs. Use that energy to call your senators. Use that energy to vote.