2023年4月11日
Sarah Ford graduated from 哥伦比亚大学 in 2004 and was recently thrust into the public eye through the instant success of the podcast she co-hosts along with Mandy Powers Norrell, 棕榈黄金时段. Their podcast was created as a result of the abundance of misinformation that was being circulated through mainstream media surrounding the Murdaugh investigation and trial. Because of her love of teaching and empowering adults through education on the U.S. justice system, Sarah decided to start answering questions on 推特. She met Mandy Powers Norrell while she was doing the same. The two struck up a conversation and decided to team up for a 推特 Live session to answer questions in real time for anyone who was interested. When hundreds of people attended the session, the rest was history, and 棕榈黄金时段 was born. As a result of 棕榈黄金时段’s fast success, Sarah has been featured on CNN and TMZ; she was even invited to sit in on a CNN panel with Jim Sciutto for live commentary during Alex Murdaugh’s sentencing. As Sarah and Mandy have settled into their success, 棕榈黄金时段 has become a platform for crime victims and a means to carry out 社会正义.
When asked what is next for 棕榈黄金时段 now that the Murdaugh investigation and trial have concluded, 莎拉共享 that the show will continue, offering a focus on crime victims and giving them a platform for their stories to be shared. Sarah and Mandy plan to invite South Carolina legislators to discuss topics like the prison system and the flow of legal proceedings, all in an effort for the general public to know, 理解, and take ownership of the justice system. 莎拉共享, ”一些, these topics may seem mundane, but Mandy and I have discovered a way to educate our listeners on topics like these in an engaging way. Our core values have always focused on giving victims a platform. We’re planning to leave the focus there, and we’ll end up somewhere.”
在典型的一天里, Sarah serves as the 法律 Director for the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network, which offers victims in the state of South Carolina everything from financial assistance to faith-based support. She first discerned a passion for victims’ rights and advocacy during her time at 哥伦比亚大学, where she studied Political Science and History. With incredible mentors like Dr. Ed Sharkey和Dr. Belinda Gergel (哥伦比亚大学 class of 1972) as well as valuable experiences like serving as class president for multiple years and South Carolina Student Legislature, Sarah was able to explore her interests and learn experientially about the career path she would pursue. South Carolina Student Legislature allowed her the opportunity to write bills and legislation and then gave her the confidence to defend them in the chamber alongside sitting legislative leaders.
The mission of 哥伦比亚大学 is to prepare every student personally and professionally for success through liberal arts and professional programs emphasizing service, 社会正义, and leadership development. Sarah Ford took this mission literally as she chased her dreams after graduation, leading her to a career in victims’ advocacy and 社会正义. Through her many accomplishments, Sarah is a shining example of the 哥伦比亚大学 mission in action. 作为一个机构, we are surrounded each day by students like Sarah with passions that lead them to their next chapters in life; it is an honor to even a small part in their stories as they journey beyond our gates and change the world.