Don’t miss the opportunity to meet this inspiring woman at a once-in-a-lifetime event!
Reserve your seats now for our 30th Anniversary Women, Words, & Wisdom celebration.
In 2013, Amanda Nguyen was sexually assaulted while attending Harvard.
What followed was a deeply painful fight for justice that exposed the gaps in how survivors are treated.
In this video, Amanda shares her personal story—one that would ultimately lead her to change laws and empower survivors across the globe.
In 2014, Amanda founded Rise, a civil rights organization dedicated to advocating for survivors of sexual violence and helping everyday people become leaders in their own communities. What began as a personal mission quickly grew into a global movement for justice and human rights.
👉 Click here to learn more about Rise or click on the photo.
In 2016, Congress unanimously passed the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights, a landmark piece of legislation written by Amanda and her team at Rise. The bill established basic protections for survivors navigating the criminal justice system—including the right to be informed, to preserve evidence, and to access their own case records.
Click here to read “President Obama Signs First Ever Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights” or click on the photo.
The United Nations later adopted the bill’s principles, making it a global model for survivor rights around the world.
Amanda Nguyen is a proud Vietnamese American whose heritage deeply influences her advocacy and activism.
“When I look up at the stars, I’m reminded that we are just a blink in the universe. It makes me feel really humbled, but also so special. I felt the same way learning the history of my family in Vietnam. My father came from the royal family, and my mother came from rural farmers. It was a deeply meaningful experience to understand how war impacts our world, but also to understand resilience and how history can turn out.” – Amanda Nguyen
Read more about Amanda’s journey here or click on the photo.
The “What Were You Wearing?” immersive exhibit was created to confront one of the most persistent and harmful myths surrounding sexual violence: that what someone was wearing somehow invites or causes assault.
This powerful display recreates outfits described by survivors, placed alongside personal narratives, to expose the truth — that sexual violence has nothing to do with clothing, appearance, or behavior. The exhibit reveals the diversity of survivor experiences and helps shift the public’s perception of what sexual assault “looks like.”
Listen to Amanda Nguyen’s interview with NBC to hear her speak about the emotional and cultural significance of this project.
Visit Rise’s website to learn more about the exhibit and how it continues to elevate survivor voices worldwide.
In her debut memoir, Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope, Amanda Nguyen offers a powerful and deeply personal account of her experience as a survivor of sexual assault—and the extraordinary journey that followed.
Assaulted while attending Harvard, Amanda was met not only with trauma but with a broken criminal justice system that placed the burden of justice on her shoulders. Rather than be silenced or discouraged, she transformed that pain into purpose—launching Rise, helping to pass the federal Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights, and igniting a global movement to protect survivors and expand civil rights.
Saving Five is more than just Amanda’s story—it’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit, a call to action, and a blueprint for how hope can evolve into change. Through vulnerability, clarity, and fierce determination, Amanda invites readers into both her darkest and most transformative moments.
Read an exclusive excerpt from Saving Five on Time Magazine’s website.
In 2019, Amanda Nguyen was honored with a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize—recognition of her groundbreaking work advocating for survivors’ rights on a global scale.
Building on her continued impact, Amanda was named one of Time Magazine’s Women of the Year in 2022, celebrating her leadership, courage, and the profound difference she has made in advancing civil rights and social justice.
Read Amanda’s in-depth interview with Time Magazine to learn more about her journey, motivations, and vision for the future.
On April 14, 2025, Amanda took to the stars as part of the Blue Origin space launch to finally realize her dreams as an astrophysicist.
In the video, she shares her feelings after the success of the launch, the story behind the zero-G indicator she had brought with her, and a touching message to fellow survivors.
Even though Blue Origin’s all-female flight was heavily criticized, it was Amanda’s best shot at space – a chance to finally realize her dreams as an astrophysicist. Read her story HERE.
You can also read more about Amanda’s journey and what it meant to her on Space.com’s website or by clicking on the photos.
Women, Words, & Wisdom is an inspiring event. Don’t miss your chance to meet this incredible woman! Reserve your seats now — before they’re gone!
