Sir Patrick Stewart was the featured speaker at this week’s Comicpalooza in Houston. During the question and answer portion a fan by the name of Heather Skye informed the actor that a speech he’d previously given for Amnesty International on the topic of violence against women was a touchstone moment in helping her turn her life around.
Skye runs her own blog called Lemon Sweetie and she wrote about the encounter in great detail (also including some great photos). In this particular case I think it’s best if I let her words define what an amazing moment it was that was shared between the two that day.
Skye wrote:
After thanking him I asked him “Besides acting, what are you most proud of that you have done in you life (that you are willing to share with us)?”. Sir Patrick told us about how he couldn’t protect his mother from abuse in his household growing up and so in her name works with an organization called Refuge for safe houses for women and children to escape from abusive house holds…
They were about to move onto the next question when Sir Patrick looked at me and asked me “My Dear, are you okay?” I said yes, and that I was finally able to move on from that part of my life. He then passionately said that it is never the woman’s fault in domestic violence, and how wrong to think that it ever is. That it is in the power of men to stop violence towards women. The moderator then asked “Do you want a hug?”
Here’s the clip in full from the time Heather asked her question until the hug (7:10 mark) she received at the end.
Sir Patrick didn’t even hesitate, he smiled, hopped off the stage and came over to embrace me in a hug. Which he held me there for a long while. He told me “You never have to go through that again, you’re safe now.” I couldn’t stop thanking him. His embrace was so warm and genuine. It was two people, two strangers, supporting and giving love. And when we pulled away he looked straight in my eyes, like he was promising that. He told me to take care. And I will.
Sir Patrick Stewart is an absolute role model for men. He is an amazing man and was so kind and full of heart. I want to let everyone know to please find help if you are in a violent or abusive house hold or relationship. There are organizations and people ready to help. I had countless people after the panel thanking me for sharing the story and asking him those questions. Many said they went through similar things. You are not alone.
During the speech that had so deeply touched Heather, Stewart said as he got choked up, “I was not a violent child but if my mother had at any point between the ages of 5 and 12 picked up a knife or any other weapon against my father I would have held her hand as she did it… That’s how bad it was growing up inside a violent household.”
Via Gawker
