Gretchen Carlson, the former Fox News anchor who sued Roger Ailes in 2016, has spent the past decade fighting for survivors' rights.
Her landmark civil complaint, filed on July 6, 2016, alleged that Ailes terminated her contract after she rejected his sexual advances.
>>> Ana Mendieta at Tate Modern: An Irresistible, Primeval Force
“I had no idea what was going to happen to me when I actually filed it 10 years ago,” Carlson said.
“I thought I might be crying my eyes out for the rest of my life.”
Despite the uncertainty, she found purpose. “Immediately I found purpose,” she stated.
Lift Our Voices and Legislative Success
In 2019, Carlson co-founded Lift Our Voices with Julie Roginsky, who also sued Ailes. The organization aims to combat workplace silencing mechanisms.
The group successfully pushed for the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, signed into law by then-President Joe Biden in 2022.
>>> Denza N8: Five-Seat SUV with 1,193 HP, Outpacing Ferrari F80
This law allows survivors to sue in court instead of being forced into private arbitration.
According to Lift Our Voices, it applies retroactively to claims filed after March 3, 2022, within state statutes of limitations.
Carlson emphasized the importance of this progress: “We know it can’t be good” for survivors who have been silenced.
Her lawsuit revealed alleged mistreatment by Ailes, including retaliation for rejecting his advances and a hostile work environment fostered by former colleague Steve Doocy.
>>> Can a 'Power Phrase' Turn a Spineless Worm Into a Go-Getter?
The suit detailed how Ailes sabotaged her career, leading to fewer high-profile assignments and diminished pay.
