Spring Forward with the Courage Couture Gala

The Courage Couture Gala was born from Leah M. Forney’s personal journey as a survivor of sexual violence who once had no safe space to speak her truth. Leah was not believed by law enforcement or by the judge who presided over her case, and it took nine years for her rape kit to be tested. Her experience, like that of so many others, reflects the deep pain and injustice that countless survivors of gender-based violence face every day.

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From that pain, Leah found purpose & a calling to create a space where survivors feel seen, heard, and validated. The Courage Couture Gala was designed to be that space. A night of empowerment, healing, and celebration for survivors, their loved ones, and the advocates who support them.

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This evening is about honoring survivors, amplifying their voices, and fostering healing across all communities impacted by gender-based violence including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and other forms of harm.

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It is also the night that we introduce the Nicole Patrice Forney Educational Scholarship Fund created in loving memory of Leah's mother to help survivors of gender-based violence pursue their educational goals and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

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This year’s theme, “Where Courage Bloom in Elegance: A Celebration of Courage, Compassion, and Community,” reflects our commitment to raising awareness, uplifting survivor voices, and expanding access to the resources that foster true healing and justice.

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When you attend, you’re not just showing up for an event.  You’re standing in solidarity with survivors everywhere and joining a movement to break the silence, shift the culture, and reimagine what healing looks like.