I'm writing this on Friday, October 5th. Today was the day that the Senate voted to advance Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the floor of the Senate. By the time this article is published, we'll know whether he is a Supreme Court Justice and the odds are not looking to be in the favor of Dr. Ford, women generally, and/or survivors of sexual assault.

As a woman in America today I feel defeated.

This isn't to say that I won't get back up tomorrow and keep fighting the good fight, but I am so sad and disappointed with the choices that the people in power have made.

As a woman in America today I feel like my voice has the ability to be heard, but that no one cares what comes out of my mouth.

Reporting sexual assault is one of the hardest things to do for so many reasons. So when a woman or a man stand up and tell their story, they deserve to not only be heard but cared about. With the decision from the highest people in power in our country, they are telling survivors of sexual assault that their stories just don't matter. It is absolutely heartbreaking and I am devastated.

As a woman in America today I want to speak up and out, but I can feel my voice dwindling. Though I may be only left with a temporary whisper, I will never stop supporting survivors of sexual assault. I will never stop voting and protesting for what is right. I will never stop talking about my own experiences dealing with sexual assault.

Dr. Ford, I believe you. More than that, I believe that what happened to you matters. I care about your story and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming forward. You've inspired me to do the same.