Actress Ashley Judd, Rep. Jackie Speier Hosting Peninsula Event in Support of Victims of Military Sexual Assault

From POD: Protect Our Defenders Foundation (POD) announces a special event fundraiser with Actor, Activist and Humanitarian, Ashley Judd in conversation with Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14) on Friday, September 29, 2017 in Hillsborough, CA. The cocktails, conversation and dinner program will also include remarks from Colonel Don Christensen (ret.), Former Chief Prosecutor, United States Air Force and President of Protect Our Defenders; and Nancy Parrish, Founder, Co-Chair and Protect Our Defenders CEO and recipient of the 2016 Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage.

“More attention is desperately needed on the epidemic of sexual assault in the military and its effect on our society. As an advocate for sexual assault survivors, our military, the world’s largest employer, should and can lead,” said Judd. “A first step is fixing a system that puts your boss who has no legal training in the position of judge and jury. I am thrilled to be the special guest at the Protect Our Defenders event on September 29th. ”

Nancy Parrish founded POD in 2011 and Congresswoman Speier was its most prominent and vocal early
champion, introducing bipartisan legislation, the Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act—
the STOP Act, in November 2011. Speier has shared military rape victims’ stories on the House floor and
has been named one of the world’s most fearless women by Newsweek magazine for helping to expose
the epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the military, among other actions.

“I believe that I have a responsibility to use my voice as an elected official to advocate for women
everywhere. When I first found out about the epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the military, I knew I
needed to use the microphone that I have as a member of Congress to advocate for the servicewomen and men who were raped by colleagues and then punished for reporting that they were victims of a crime,” Speier wrote in a statement after being named to the list.

With the sole mission of ending the epidemic of military sexual assault, POD is the only nationwide
nonprofit focusing exclusively on this issue. Rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment are pervasive in
our military. The Department of Defense is the world’s largest employer and – despite recent reforms –
remains an unsafe and unfair work environment for many women and minorities. This crisis results in
wide-ranging negative effects on service members and impacts civilians and local communities as well.

All proceeds from the 9/29/17 event will be allocated to POD’s 501(c)(3) Pro Bono Casework, Legal
Assistance and Advocacy Programs. In addition, the Delores Barr Weaver Fund of The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida will match all sponsorships and general contributions. Launched in early 2013, The POD Squad is a small but agile fundraising team. Chaired by local Peninsula philanthropists Lilli Rey, Lia Turk Kheirolomoom and Sibylle Whittam with the assistance of many local volunteers, The POD Squad initiated a series of Peninsula-based events in support of Protect Our Defenders Foundation.

Tickets for the Friday, September 29th event with Ashley Judd start at $500 per person. Reservations may
be made online at: www.protectourdefenders.com/po... For payments by check, print the form at the address above and mail to:

Protect Our Defenders Foundation
20 Park Road, Suite E, Burlingame, CA. 94010
Protect Our Defenders Foundation is a California nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation, FEIN #45-
4044997.

Image Courtesy of POD