Biden Honored at GU Law

Vice President Joseph Biden was honored with the Legal Momentum Hero Award at the Georgetown Law Center on Wednesday in recognition of his service in the area of women’s rights.

Legal Momentum, a nonprofit women’s rights advocacy organization, recognized Biden at a symposium celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act.

First passed in 1994 and then reauthorized in 2000 and 2005, VAWA was the first legislative package designed to systemically end violence against women. Biden, who was integral in the passage of the act, explained his background and passion for the issue.

“If I could only have one wish, one thing I could do, one thing we could do, would it be to eliminate women bondage?” Biden asked. “My heroes are people who have been victimized — the women and girls, sometimes just girls, who have stepped forward. Do you have any idea, any idea how much courage this takes to stand up and say, ‘This was done to me’? To step forward and say ‘I’ve been abused, I’ve been raped, I’ve been beaten’? [Many] wouldn’t want to deal with the exposure, the sense of guilt that society imposes.”

Commenting on the work for women’s rights done by advocates in attendance, Biden said, “By doing what you’ve done you’ve encouraged so many, so many young women to step forward.”

Speaking to a small audience of Georgetown Law students and women’s rights activists, Biden identified the audience as true champions of women’s rights. He spoke of how progress in the United States on this issue sets an example for the rest of the world.

“As much work as we have to do in this country, the rest of the world looks to us on this issue, on women’s rights,” Biden said. “Sometimes you don’t take credit for it, [but] you’ve transformed the world map, not just here at home. You’ve raised expectations of women around the world.”

Despite the positive mood inside the Hart Auditorium, protesters gathered outside. When President Obama came to speak at Main Campus last week, protesters opposing abortion congregated at the front gates to object to the university’s invitation of a pro-choice president who does not oppose abortion rights to speak. Similar graphic posters were placed near the Law Center Wednesday — this time, with Biden’s name in bold letters replacing the president’s.

Catholic Online posted an article on Wednesday condemning Georgetown’s decision to honor Biden and to associate with Legal Momentum, a group that advocates same-sex marriage and opposes abstinence-only sex education.

While accepting this prestigious award Biden spoke to the future, acknowledged the past and praised the people who have helped him over the past 19 years. He closed with a nod to his father.

“I was raised in a household where my mother and father taught us that the worst sin was the abuse of power, the abuse of power,” said Biden. “My dad would say no man has a right to raise a hand against a woman under any circumstances … never, never, never. I’m very proud of this but I wish my dad were here to receive it.” The Georgetown Journal of Gender and the Law cosponsored the symposium.