Instagram/@ashley_juddAshley Judd lends her voice to Jennifer Lyell-a woman who courageously came forth with allegations of systemic sexual violence in the Southern Baptist Convention. The actress revealed in a heartfelt Instagram post her own attachments to the church and acknowledged Lyell’s courage in coming forth on an issue of institutional betrayal. The post with a warm portrait of Lyell has set free a wave of support from those that feel activated by her story.
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Judd stated that the Judd family had left the denomination during a time when leadership positions were being taken from female gender identities, having grown up going to a Southern Baptist church in Ashland, Kentucky. The spotlight then focused on Lyell, who had gone public with accusations concerning the widespread sexual assaults of girls and women within the church, yet the church refused to listen during her life and refused far more decisively in death. “Her honesty revealed publicly what many knew & willfully concealed,” Judd added.
The comment sections were immediately inundated with quite an emotional response. One user went down in history with his own testimony: “I’m 72, and still picking up the SA the church covered up when I was 13. God bless you, Jennifer.” They were so true: “a good, true, and honorable thing. A hard, costly thing.”
Many congratulated Judd for keeping Lyell’s legacy alive: “Sometimes all it takes is one voice to change the World.” Other comments, however, were blent with requests unassociated with the serious matter of this post, one bizarrely requesting Judd to send a motivational video for its students about studying. But the vast majority were talking about standing together, as in “I see you” and “I stand with you.” Another heartfelt one came from a survivor who echoed it: “The God I serve is a loving God and abhors His name being used to victimize, abuse, and oppress.”
Judd’s tribute has reopened wounds within the Southern Baptist Convention at large. One commenter lamented having his recent denomination’s attention turned to denouncing women who choose not to reproduce, calling it “a hate-filled, disgusting organization.” Others were somewhat more optimistic, suggesting that people like Lyell could become overdue catalysts for needed change.
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That smile behind Lyell’s picture, set against the backdrop of nature, is a quiet but far-reaching contrast to that dark revelation. This tells us that courage is birthed in those that refuse to let injustice be buried. Judd is calling for action and asking her followers to visit institutionalcourage.org, so clearly, this conversation is far from dead. If reactions can serve as a barometer, Lyell will be around for quite some time.
