Amanda Ngoc Nguyen

Field: 

Civil Rights Activism, Space Exploration.

Nationality: 

Vietnamese American.

Biography:

Amanda Ngoc Nguyen is a Vietnamese American civil rights activist and the founder of Rise, an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her passion for justice and human rights led her to be a driving force behind the creation of the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act, which empowers survivors and changes the legal landscape in the United States. For her efforts, Nguyen was nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize and was recognized as Time's Woman of the Year in 2022.

At just 32 years old, Amanda made history by becoming the first woman of Vietnamese descent to fly into space. She joined Blue Origin’s New Shepard mission as part of the Space for Humanity Citizen Astronaut Program, which promotes the importance of a global perspective in solving humanity’s biggest challenges. Her journey into space symbolizes the potential for all people, especially young women, to break barriers and reach for the stars.

Major Contributions & Achievements:

• Founder of Rise: An organization dedicated to advancing the rights of sexual assault survivors through legislative advocacy and support.

• Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act: A groundbreaking piece of legislation that provides legal protections and rights for sexual assault survivors.

• 2019 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee: Nominated for her work on behalf of sexual assault survivors and human rights.

• Time Woman of the Year (2022): Honored for her exceptional leadership in civil rights and advocacy.

• First Vietnamese-American Woman in Space: Joined the Blue Origin New Shepard mission as part of the Space for Humanity initiative to address global challenges through space exploration.

In Her Own Words:

In a message to young Vietnamese women and aspiring leaders, Amanda shared:
"I hope my journey into space will inspire others to reach for the stars and know that no dream is too big to pursue."

Awards & Recognition:

• 2019 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

• Time Woman of the Year (2022)

• Forbes 30 Under 30

• Featured in numerous global media outlets for her activism and achievements.