Gallery: Larry Nassar's Victims, an 'Army of Survivors'

They were not willing to be silent.

SI Staff | Feb 22, 2018

Gallery: Larry Nassar's Victims, an 'Army of Survivors' /

Over seven days in January, in a courtroom in Lansing, Mich., a seemingly never-ending procession of women shared harrowing accounts of sexual abuse perpetrated by Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State physician who was eventually sentenced to hundreds of years in prison after several trials.

Their strength was palpable, their words powerful—not just because of the courage it took for each woman to face her abuser and share horribly intimate details with the world, but also because they moved others to come forward. Originally, 88 victims were expected to speak. Ultimately, 156 did. A sisterhood of survivors was formed.

Marion Siebert

Natalie Woodland

Autumn Blaney

Kara Johnson

Maddie Johnson

Amanda Smith

Jennifer Hayes

Jamie Doski

Taylor Stevens

Alexis Alvarado

Jessica Thomashow

Jenelle Moul

Anna Dayton

Erin Poliquin

Larissa Boyce

Christine Harrison

Morgan McCaul

Lyndsy Gamet

Chelsea Williams

Jessica Smith

Nicole Walker

Amanda Thomashow

Kayla Spicher

Lindsay Woolever

Helena Weick

Alexis Moore

Bayle Pickel

Christina Barba

Makayla Thrush

Stephanie Robinson

Chelsea Zerfas

Marta Stern

Lindsey Lemke

Emma Ann Miller

Taylor Livingston

Annette M. Howlett-Hill

Gwen Anderson

Trinea Gonczar

Nicole Soos

Jillian Swineheart

Emily Morales

While Olympic gymnasts such as Aly Raisman and Simone Biles made the most headlines, SI wanted to celebrate the bravery of as many of the survivors as possible. In early February, an invitation to take part in a photo shoot near the Michigan State campus was extended to all 265 women who had been publicly identified; 41 responded. Most live in Michigan, though some drove several hours to take part. Some were teenagers who came with their parents, others arrived with children of their own in tow. Some had been gymnasts, but there were also dancers, runners and softball players.

Many talked to photographer Simon Bruty about the bond they had formed. They keep in touch through group texts and a private Facebook page, and some are planning a vacation together. They have found solace in each other, and their newfound sense of empowerment can be seen in the poses they struck: defiant, confident, heroic.

During her testimony, former cheerleader Amanda Thomashow told Nassar, "You didn't realize you were building an army of survivors who see you for what you are—a sexual predator. We will rise as an army of female warriors who will never let you or another man drunk off of power get away with such evil again."

Admire their strength. Remember their names.

Published Feb 22, 2018

SI STAFF