Dubuque's annual "Evening of Light" event always features a keynote speaker of great status. This year, however, this decorated, accomplished woman could be the biggest headliner of the event yet.

Retired artistic gymnast and two-time Olympian Aly Raisman will be the keynote speaker for the 2023 "Evening of Light." The yearly event celebrates the resiliency of child, teen, and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Funds are raised to ensure survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence get the help they need to begin and further their journey of healing.

Raisman, whose own personal experiences are shared in her 2017 memoir, will be at the Grand River Center on April 20th, 2023.

Courtney Chaffee, Director of Development and Public Relations at Riverview Center. Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
Courtney Chaffee, Director of Development and Public Relations at Riverview Center. Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
loading...

Courtney Chaffee, Director of Development and Public Relations at Riverview Center, stopped by the studio to make the announcement about Raisman.

Riverview Center works with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. They know better than anyone that there's no template you can hamfist on one person's experiences. Recovery looks and feels different for each individual. Sexual assault advocacy, in itself, has many dimensions.

Riverview Center prides themselves in assisting survivors by ways of "self-determination and autonomy, feeling heard and validated, and social support," per their introductory pamphlet.

Olympic Track and Field athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, swimmer Tom Dolan, and Olympic Gymnast Aly Raisman. Photo Credit: Slaven Vlasic, Getty Images.
Olympic Track and Field athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, swimmer Tom Dolan, and Olympic Gymnast Aly Raisman. Photo Credit: Slaven Vlasic, Getty Images.
loading...

Chaffee gave context to Raisman's accomplishments and voice in our interview:

She is the third most decorated US gymnast of all time. And she's a bit of a powerhouse. I'm reading her book right now and you can really hear the strength in her especially if you go watch her victim impact statements [....] she is very vocal, very in charge.

Chaffee said that tickets for "Evening of Light" won't go on sale until 2023, but sponsorship opportunities are available now. You can do that via Riverview Center's website.

attachment-!Radio Interview Banner
loading...

LOOK: 25 fascinating vintage photos of the first Winter Olympic Games

The first-ever Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France, showcasing a variety of sports and athletes. Stacker assembled a collection of photos from those first Games.

More From Y105