Nord Center announces speaker for anniversary luncheon

Former competitive gymnast Sarah Klein will address a Nord Center anniversary celebration luncheon Sept. 20 in the Grand Ballroom at Spitzer Center at Lorain County Community College, 1005 N. Abbe Road in Elyria.

The luncheon runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m..

Klein, an attorney and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, is one of the first known victims of former Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Dr. Larry Nassar, according to a news release.

In July 2018, at the ESPYs, Klein accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award on behalf of herself and the hundreds of other survivors of Nassar’s sexual abuse.

Prior recipients of the Ashe award include Nelson Mandela, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Robin Roberts, the release said.

Her op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer, “I lobbied to change the law after I was abused by Larry Nassar,” caught the attention of Pennsylvania’s attorney general, and she has worked in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan for statute of limitations reform that will bring survivors healing and justice, the release said.

Additionally, this year marks two significant milestones for Lorain County.

Lorain County Rape Crisis is celebrating its 30th anniversary and the Children’s Advocacy Center is celebrating its 15th anniversary, the release said.

Tickets to the luncheon are $40 and a table of eight is $300.

Sponsorships and ads in the event program are available, according to the release.

Donations are welcome and proceeds will directly benefit services provided by the Nord Center.

For more information, contact Betsey Kamm at bkamm@nordcenter.org or 440-204-4185.