We are super impressed by the important work ESPN Investigative Reporter (and Omaha Headshot Company client) Paula Lavigne has done over the years. This past week it was announced that Paula and the team she works with will be awarded the prestigious Peabody Award for their reporting on Michigan State, Larry Nassar and the abuse of hundreds of gymnists and athletes.
“Spartan Silence” is “a precise demonstration of how rape culture works systemically, and the traumatic and horrible costs it has on women’s lives. Through tough original reporting, the series digs deep into Michigan State’s institutional knowledge of Larry Nassar’s abuse of hundreds of gymnasts and athletes dating back almost two decades. For the first time on camera, the programs provide testimony by a former sexual assault counselor who recounts the rape culture machinery at work—insulated internal handling of cases, lack of transparency, and discouraging victims from seeking external resources. The reporting includes powerful testimony by many abuse survivors, culminating in a roundtable discussion with five former athletes, and more than 140 ‘sister survivors’ walking onstage to accept the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2018 ESPYS.”
The Peabody award is ESPN’s 7th and the first for Paula. ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro said, “This Peabody Award-winning work is among the most impactful journalism the ESPN team has produced in our 40 years of exemplary storytelling.”
You can check out ESPN’s Twitter press release here.
We don’t mean to brag, but we think among her teammates, Paula has by far & away the best headshot. 🙂
