Ford nominated for UNC distinguished alumna award

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has been nominated for a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Distinguished Alumna and Alumnus award.

Ford received national attention when she testified that Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in high school. Kavanaugh denied the accusations.

The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court on Saturday.

Ford was a psychology major at UNC and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988.

A nomination letter writes that the nomination shouldn’t be seen as partisan.

“There may be people reading this nomination letter who will take issue with Dr. Blasey Ford’s testimony or who may see this letter as an example of partisan politics,” the letter states. “But this letter nominating Dr. Blasey Ford is not about partisan politics: it is about recognizing that the simple act of speaking one’s truth, especially when that truth involves sexual assault, is an act of bravery.”

Criteria for the award is an alumnus or alumna who “has made an outstanding contribution to humanity in any walk of life,” according to the UNC Office of Faculty Governance.” Up to five awards may be presented annually.