Hope Rises: Amanda Nguyen’s Journey from Hurt to Empowerment

In a world that often silences survivors, Amanda Nguyen chose a different path—she screamed, and the world listened. (source: The Guardian)

Her story does not begin in the courtroom, but in a state of feeling alone in a silent aftermath of trauma. While studying at Harvard, Amanda was raped. With such a traumatizing event, many women feel powerless, lonely and afraid. When Amanda decided to find justice, she discovered a broken system: her rape kit could be discarded in six months, unless she navigated a confusing and retraumatizing process to preserve it. Understandably, many survivors are hesitant to speak up and come forward when the system doesn’t prioritize their needs for a situation they didn’t ask for. That injustice brought out Amanda’s voice, and it became her fuel to fight for change.

In 2014, Amanda founded Rise (source: RISE foundation), a civil rights organization that encourages survivors to speak up and demand legislative change. Just two years later, she helped pass the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act, one of the few federal bills in modern U.S. history to pass without opposition. This Act includes:

• The right to equality under the law
• The right to informative rape kit procedures and notification
• The right to terminate all legal ties with the assailant
• The right to survivors’ advocacy
• The right to the retention of all rights, regardless of whether assault is reported to law enforcement

Her work catalyzed multiple laws protecting survivors (source: The Heinz Awards) across the country ever since—and earned her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. (source: Amanda Nguyen's site)

Once a NASA intern, her childhood dream of spaceflight is set to become reality. In 2025, she’ll launch aboard a Blue Origin mission (source: Blue Origin), becoming the first Vietnamese woman to go to space. This leap isn’t just a personal dream—it’s a beautiful symbol. A message to survivors and dreamers across the world: there is no limit to your goals, dreams, and aspirations.

Amanda’s monumental journey continues. She has released a memoir called Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope. The title references the humbling statistic that just 5 out of every 1,000 rapists are convicted. It’s a call to action—and a testament to survival.

Her courage to speak up about this unfortunate yet common topic in today’s society has not only inspired me, but many other people and businesses, to spread awareness and offer encouragement to those whose lives have been affected by sexual assault. As someone who relates to this topic, it is truly inspiring to see a powerful woman speak up and take action. The experience is gut-wrenching, but Amanda’s influence proves that even when you fall, you have a voice—and people will listen.

As The Guardian put it, Amanda is “a super nova in a galaxy of silence.” Whether she’s testifying before Congress or preparing for takeoff, she reminds the world what’s possible when survivors refuse to be silenced.

Amanda Nguyen doesn’t just reach for the stars. She brings others with her.

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