Christine Blasey Ford nominated for prestigious Profile In Courage Award
By Sophie Lewis
/ CBS News
California Democratic Congresswoman Jackie Speier is nominating Dr. Christine Blasey Ford — the woman who accused then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of a high school sexual assault — for the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. The award, which recognizes acts of "politically courageous leadership," is usually reserved for public officials and politicians.
Speier announced her nomination of Ford for the award on Twitter Monday. "Nominating Dr. Christine Blasey Ford ― a true American (s)hero who sacrificed so much to do what was right for our country and for the pursuit of truth of justice ― for this year's Profiles in Courage Award," Speier tweeted. "She is an inspiration to us all."
Nominating Dr. Christine Blasey Ford – a true American (s)hero who sacrificed so much to do what was right for our country and for the pursuit of truth of justice – for this year’s Profiles in Courage Award @JFKLibrary. She is an inspiration to us all.
— Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) January 29, 2019
The award was created in 1989 by members of the Kennedy family "to honor President John F. Kennedy and to recognize and celebrate the quality of political courage that he admired most." President Barack Obama, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and President George H.W. Bush are among past recipients. Recipients of the award are chosen by a bipartisan committee.
In September, Blasey Ford, a Palo Alto University college professor, went public with accusations that Kavanaugh had pinned her down at a party in high school and covered her mouth when she tried to scream. Her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee riveted the nation, as did his forceful denial. Blasey Ford said she was "100 percent" sure that Kavanaugh assaulted her. Kavanaugh said he was "100 percent certain" he did not. In the end, he was confirmed to the Supreme Court by a mostly party-line vote.
Blasey Ford said she received "frightening threats" that forced her to hire security to protect her family. For a time, they were forced from their home, her lawyer said. Despite the threats, she stood her ground.
"Although coming forward was terrifying, and caused disruption to our lives, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to fulfill my civic duty," Ford wrote in November. "Having done so, I am in awe of the many women and men who have written me to share similar life experiences, and now have bravely shared their experience with friends and family, many for the first time. I send you my heartfelt love and support."
The 2019 Profile in Courage Award will be presented in Washington, D.C., in May.
First published on January 30, 2019
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Christine Blasey Ford nominated for Profile In Courage Award
"She is an inspiration to us all," tweeted Congresswoman Jackie Speier
updated 4M ago
Deep freeze threatens millions, cancels flights in Midwest
Cities across the Midwest scrambling to protect people from historic cold
updated 15M ago
Tesla reports much smaller profit this quarter than last
CEO Musk warned of a “very difficult” road ahead, and sure enough, electric-car maker's earnings reflect the sentiment
updated 18M ago
Elliott Abrams says Iran-Contra history isn’t an issue
Abrams pleaded guilty in connection with the Iran-Contra scandal in 1991, but was pardoned by President George H.W. Bush
updated 31M ago
FDA "asleep at the switch" on vaping, report says
The FDA is failing to protect America's youth from the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarettes, a new report from the American Lung Association says
updated 42M ago
Christine Blasey Ford nominated for Profile In Courage Award
"She is an inspiration to us all," tweeted Congresswoman Jackie Speier
updated 4M ago
Elliott Abrams says Iran-Contra history isn’t an issue
Abrams pleaded guilty in connection with the Iran-Contra scandal in 1991, but was pardoned by President George H.W. Bush
updated 31M ago
The Takeout: A CBS News original political podcast
“The Takeout” is a weekly podcast about politics, policy and pop culture hosted by CBS News Chief White House correspondent Major Garrett
1H ago
Intelligence Matters: A CBS News original national security podcast
"Intelligence Matters" is a weekly podcast about national security and policy hosted by CBS News senior national security contributor Michael Morell
1H ago
Trump Organization says it will use E-Verify to check workers' status
A dozen immigrant workers at the Trump National Golf club were fired earlier this month, they claimed, after workers at another Trump club alleged that the club hired them knowing they were in the U.S. illegally
1H ago
Ariana Grande's Japanese tattoo is a fail
Hope she likes BBQ
2H ago
Trump suggests "intelligence people" should "go back to school"
The president's bristled at conclusions from his own intelligence agency leaders that don't match up with his own
2H ago
Dutch church's 97-day marathon Mass wins refugee family a home
Hundreds of clergy volunteered to keep the service going for months, using an obscure law to shield an Armenian family from deportation
4H ago
U.K.'s May needs to renegotiate Brexit, but the EU won't budge
Prime Minister Theresa May has just 58 days to strike a deal and avoid what one rival lawmaker warns could be a fall "into an abyss"
5H ago
Taliban talks reconciliation, ex-U.S envoy says don't trust them
U.S. envoy has said "draft" framework agreed with Taliban but former U.S. officials warn the group will say anything to bring about American withdrawal
7H ago
Ariana Grande's Japanese tattoo is a fail
Hope she likes BBQ
2H ago
"Empire" actor had noose around his neck, police say
He said he was beaten on a Chicago street by two masked men who shouted racist epithets, gay slurs and put a noose around his neck
9H ago
Grammy-winning R&B singer James Ingram dies at 66
James Ingram has been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, winning for "100 Ways" in 1981 and for "Yah Mo B There" in 1984
20H ago
"Empire" actor assaulted in possible hate crime, police say
The actor told Chicago Police a group of men yelled racial and homophobic slurs and wrapped a rope around his neck
17H ago
Gwyneth Paltrow sued over alleged "hit and run ski crash"
A Utah man says the actress was "skiing out of control" when she knocked him down, leaving with with severe injuries
22H ago
Facebook paying teens for info on their phone activity
Facebook disputes report that practice has been "secret "and constitutes "spying" on participants
10H ago
Chicago is expected to be colder than Mount Everest base camp
It's also set to be colder than the South Pole
22H ago
NOAA responds to Trump's climate change skepticism with a cartoon
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tweeted increasing winter storms are a side effect of global warming
7H ago
Earnings week for Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon
High-tech giants in Wall Street spotlight as investors look for signs that explosive growth is holding up
Jan 29
What is the polar vortex and is global warming to blame?
Some scientists think the natural phenomenon bringing brutally cold weather to much of the nation has an unlikely helper
7H ago
FDA "asleep at the switch" on vaping, report says
The FDA is failing to protect America's youth from the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarettes, a new report from the American Lung Association says
updated 42M ago
Anti-vax movement fuels measles outbreaks, expert says
Dozens of children who weren't vaccinated have gotten sick, and the outbreak is spreading
3H ago
Drugmaker doubles recall of infant ibuprofen
Some batches found with overly high concentrations of the drug, with infants especially vulnerable to adverse effects
5H ago
Court to hear arguments over Ohio law banning abortions due to Down syndrome
The law's defenders argue it is a limited restriction intended as an anti-discrimination measure
9H ago
New report finds heavy metals in 45 popular fruit juices
Long-term exposure to these metals could cause some serious health risks, like kidney disease and certain types of cancer
1H ago
Tesla reports much smaller profit this quarter than last
CEO Musk warned of a “very difficult” road ahead, and sure enough, electric-car maker's earnings reflect the sentiment
updated 18M ago
Trump Organization says it will use E-Verify to check workers' status
A dozen immigrant workers at the Trump National Golf club were fired earlier this month, they claimed, after workers at another Trump club alleged that the club hired them knowing they were in the U.S. illegally
1H ago
Crafts retailer Michaels is closing Pat Catan's stores
Nation's biggest arts and crafts retailer shuttering 36 stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia
2H ago
U.S. and China talk trade, but few expect any breakthroughs
The two countries have roughly a month to head off what would be a dramatic escalation in their trade war
2H ago
Jay Powell: "The case for raising rates has weakened"
The Federal Reserve chair pointed to low inflation and slower global growth as the Fed kept interest rates steady
1H ago
Video shows man punching 2 women in Los Angeles
The incident took place Saturday at a hot dog stand
updated 11M ago
"Empire" actor assaulted in possible hate crime, police say
The actor told Chicago Police a group of men yelled racial and homophobic slurs and wrapped a rope around his neck
17H ago
Cop rushed into gunbattle because "my guys were down"
Veteran Houston police officer among 4 shot in attempt to serve search warrant at drug house
22H ago
Cop charged in Russian roulette death appears injured in mugshot
Nathaniel Hendren is in custody three days after he was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Katlyn Alix
Jan 29
Passenger stabs, kills pregnant Lyft driver in Tempe, Ariz.
Police arrested suspect some 133 miles away after they say he stole her SUV, which they think was the motive for the attack
Jan 29 Original Article