Awards Are Nice, Action Is Better

How do you inspire action when it comes to ending sexual misconduct? It’s a question I’ve been pondering a lot lately.

Last month, #WeRideTogether’s Out of Bounds—a four-part series that explores the victim experience—was recognized by three of the highest honors in social activism. It won a Telly Award, honoring excellence in video and television and a Shorty Award, honoring the most innovative work in digital and social media by brands, agencies, and organizations; and was nominated for a Webby Award, hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times.

Being recognized by these organizations is a big deal. The Telly Awards receive over 13,000 entries globally. Previous winners of the Shorty Awards include Malala Yousafzai, Trevor Noah, Michelle Obama, Conan O’Brien, Lady Gaga, and brands such as MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount, HBO, Meta, Airbnb, Honda, UNICEF, and PepsiCo.

Amazing, right? We’re incredibly honored to be included among that group.

I’m especially proud because Out of Bounds is a deeply personal project for me. It’s the resource I wish I had when I was navigating the legal and social systems after my daughter was groomed by her coach.

The response to the PSA series has been beyond my wildest expectations. Over 124 million views. Organically translated into 12 languages. Now 20 awards and nominations. And the momentum is still growing.

But then reality sets in.

The same week we’re riding high on Out of Bounds latest success, I fielded seven calls from victims and their advocates.

One victim said, “I don’t know if I’m meant to be on this earth.” A mother broke down on the phone, asking, “Why aren’t you doing anything?!” A young professional wanted to talk about the week she turned 18 and was propositioned by three men, all top riders—one tried to slip her his hotel room key.

And then the next call is, “You’ve been shortlisted for the Shortys, and oh, you’re an honoree for the Webbys. And guess what? All four PSAs were just recognized at the Women’s International Film Festival!”

I don’t know how to hold those opposing realities in my head.

I don’t know how to feel good about the recognition #WeRideTogether is getting without recognizing that our equestrian community is nowhere near where we need to be.

Just last week, an investigative report by CNN revealed that an online “Rape Academy” that coaches men on how to drug, sexually abuse, and exploit others gets 62 million visits every month.

There is so much reform that needs to be made. And one sport uniquely positioned to create meaningful cultural change—and become a model for all other sports—is equestrian.

Equestrian is a predominantly female sport where women are the overwhelming majority. This is our workplace. Our recreation space. We have the power to set the rules of engagement.

So why aren’t we taking an unshakable stance against abuse? Why are we accepting that when many juniors become professionals, they immediately experience sexual harassment from other professionals?

Why do so many of us sit on the sidelines as misconduct continues?

There’s often this collective shrug when we talk about power imbalances in society. Like, “What are you gonna do? It’s just the way things are.”

But we don’t have to accept the way things are.

We can make change happen. So let’s do more of that. Together.

Five ways you can help be part of the solution: