On October 4th, 2018, two prominent figures in pop culture were arrested in Washington D.C. whilst protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for the United States Supreme Court. The two actresses? Emily Ratajkowski and Amy Schumer.

Ratajkowski promptly followed up on her Instagram page writing,

“Today I was arrested protesting the Supreme Court Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, a man who has been accused by multiple women of sexual assault. Men who hurt women can no longer be placed in positions of power. Kavanaugh’s confirmation as Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States is a message to women in this country that they do not matter. I demand a government that acknowledges, respects, and supports women as much as it does men.”

But this is not a post about pop culture. This is not even a post about Brett Kavanaugh.

This is about Christine Blasey Ford, and how her voice is going to have an impact on women for decades to come. This is not a story that is going to blow over in a few weeks, months, or even years. This This is a story that is going to last for decades. In fact, this is not a story. This is history.

Because Christine Blasey Ford chose to swear under oath, and tell her story of what happened on a summer night some 36 years ago, countless girls will reap the courage to speak up. Because girls speak up, we as a society are going to stop giving men who hurt women or are accused of hurting women any type of power over us. There is no way to completely obliterate sexual harassment or assault. Evil will always exist. But if one less woman is sexually assaulted because Christine Blasey Ford was a catalyst, it will be worth it. She will be a catalyst for a change in which we shaped America to raise our sons with respect and love for women.

Time Magazine delivers a summary that is perfect, powerful, and chilling:

“The facts remain unsettled, and Ford’s testimony may not prevent Kavanaugh’s confirmation. But it was a powerful warning that wealth, status and a record of professional accomplishments were no longer enough to override credible allegations of sexual assault, no matter when they occurred. To young men, it was a message that drunken violence could shadow them all their lives. And to victims, Ford’s testimony was an invitation to speak up, no matter how powerful the accused, no matter how long ago the attack. People will listen, the country seemed to reassure them. We will believe you.”

“But even if Kavanaugh joins the bench, Ford has cemented herself as a historic figure. In her courage, many Americans saw the opposite of everything they think is wrong with Washington. Politicians spin, fudge the truth, grasp at power. Ford appeared guileless.”

“When she spoke with the Washington Post in September, she described her reluctance to go public, given the likelihood that Kavanaugh would be confirmed anyway…Her name, even in the best circumstances, will forever be associated with the darkest moment of her life. Yet she chose to speak up anyway, out of what she saw as civic duty. That kind of courage is rare, especially in Washington today. And Ford showed how powerful it can be.”

History was made when Dr. Ford testified. Instead of seeing news in pop culture this week, was a rallying cry to the United States Government to respect female existence, or expect Christine Blasey Ford’s-and all of our-resistance.