Christine Blasey Ford is an American research psychologist who garnered widespread media attention in September 2018, following her sexual assault allegation against the United States Supreme Court nominee named Brett Kavanaugh. As it happened, her testimony turned out to be a major determining factor underlying Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
Ford, who is currently serving as a professor at Palo Alto University, also works as a research psychologist at Stanford University School of Medicine. Her portfolio also extends to developing statistical models for research in the institution.
An Overview of Christine Blasey Ford’s Life Before Fame
Christine Margaret Blasey was born in Montgomery, Maryland in November 1966; she spent a few years in the suburbs of Washington D.C. from 1978 to 1984. Ford completed her basic education at a private all-girls school, Holton-Arms School situated in Bethesda, Maryland. During her high school days, Dr. Christine participated in several sporting activities organized by her school. Being part of her school’s diving team, Christine alongside Greg Louganis was among delegates that went to the White House to discuss the Summer Olympics Boycott in 1980.
Upon completion of her basic education, Ford enrolled at the University of North Carolina situated at Chapel Hill. There, she acquired a bachelor’s degree in experimental psychology, and soon after her graduation; she went on to receive her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University in 1991. Dr. Christine also got her Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of South Carolina, as well as another Master of Science degree in epidemiology from Stanford University School of Medicine.
Christine Blasey Ford was born to Ralph G. Blasey Jr. and his wife. She is the aunt of Bridgit Mendler, who is an American singer cum actress. Dr. Ford is married to Russell Ford who worked as a senior director at Zosano Pharmaceuticals. Before his career at Zosano, Russell was the director of Advanced Engineering at Abbott Medical Optics in California. He has also worked with similar coy such as Boston Scientific, among others.
The couple reportedly met each other through a dating website and afterward, they had their first meeting via a dinner date. Seeing the connection between them, the duo kicked off their relationship and after a while, they decided to walk down the aisle. Their wedding was held in Half Moon Bay located in California in 2002 and the marriage is blessed with two sons.
She Has a Stellar Career as a Research Psychologist
Dr. Ford started her career as a professor at Stanford University in 1988 and subsequently, she was also hired as a professor at Palo Alto University where she is currently a member of the consortium group. The talented professor has equally served as a visiting professor at Pepperdine University. Ford has worked as a research psychologist at Stanford University’s Psychiatric Department, as well as at Stanford School of Medicine Collaborative Clinical Psychology Program.
Throughout her career, Ford has co-authored more than 50 scientific publications. Being so versatile in her career, Ford has written prolifically on several areas of psychological topics including depression in pregnancy and the cognitive effect of the September 11 terrorist attacks. She also signed a letter of intent alongside other health professionals demanding President Trump to stop indiscriminate family separation policy at the United States-Mexico border.
Additionally, Christine Blasey Ford is a registered Democrat and has made small contributions during political campaigns. She has reportedly donated to several Democratic organizations including Democratic National Committee, Senator Bernie Sanders’ Presidential Campaign, and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, among others.
Her Accusation of Kavanaugh Culminated In a National Saga
When it became clear that President Donald Trump was considering Judge Brett Kavanaugh as a possible nominee to replace the retiring Anthony Kennedy, Dr. Ford reported to her congresswoman, Anna Eshoo, that she had been sexually assaulted by Kavanaugh when she was 15 and him 17.
I have no doubt that, if the attack on Dr. Ford was as bad as she says, charges would have been immediately filed with local Law Enforcement Authorities by either her or her loving parents. I ask that she bring those filings forward so that we can learn date, time, and place!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 21, 2018
Initially reluctant to make her identity public, Ford’s allegations were brought before Senator Dianne Feinstein, who in turn related her letter to the White House to run further background checks on Kavanaugh. After the media caught wind of the brewing saga, Ford had no other choice than to come out with her identity.
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford faced the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 27, 2018. In her testimony, she alleged that the Supreme Court nominee groped her and tried to take off her clothes at a house party in the summer of 1982. Her testimony sparked protests against Kavanaugh’s nomination with many women coming forward to recount their experiences at the hands of others whom they claimed had assaulted them. The testimony was seen in many quarters as a ploy to derail Kavanagh’s ascent to the Supreme court, a nomination that tilts the bench in favor of conservative judges.
At the Senate hearing, she was represented by Debra Katz, Lisa Blanks, and Michael Bromwich. Brett Kavanaugh denied these allegations strongly and went on to be confirmed to the Supreme Court in a tight Senate 50–48 vote.
Christine Blasey Ford Had to Move Her Family Amid Threats
Initially reluctant to appear publicly because of safety concerns, Ford’s decision to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee against Bret Kavanaugh has come at huge costs. She has received death threats and frightening messages. In the heat of the hearing, her personal information was posted on the Internet which elicited more calls and emails. She has had to move out of her home and changed residence four times.
She also had to defer her resumption to work. Her employers at Palo Alto University were left with no choice but to grant her an extended leave of absence.
With the help of a GoFundMe which was opened in her support, she has been able to beef up her private security. The crowdfunding platform realized $647,610, part of which she used to pay for private security, housing, and security costs incurred while in Washington DC for the hearing. She has donated the rest of the money realized to organizations that support trauma survivors. Since the end of the hearing, she has kept a low profile mostly due to security concerns.
