Time magazine released their list of 100 most influential people of the year last week, and Rachael Denhollander is on it. Denhollander was the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar of sexual abuse. WKAR’s Katie Cook reports.
TIME magazine’s 2018 list of the 100 most influential people is grouped into pioneers, artists, leaders, icons, and titans. Rachel Denhollander is named in the icons group. The 33-year-old lawyer was the first to publicly accuse Nassar of sexual abuse, and has been leading the charge for legislative reform in regards to mandatory reporting and related laws in Michigan.
Denhollander’s description in the magazine is written by gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, who recounts Denhollander’s commitment to Nassar’s victims during the hearings. She writes, quote:
“None of us could have anticipated or prepared for the onslaught of emotions we’d experience just by being in that courtroom. It was overwhelming. And yet Rachael was there for each court session of that sentencing, each impact statement and each fellow survivor. This show of courage and conviction inspired many people to feel less like victims and more like survivors.” End quote.
In the “icons” group of TIME’s influential people, Denhollander was in the company of Tarana Burke, Jennifer Lopez, Maxine Waters, Adam Rippon, and Chadwick Boseman, among others.