Honoring Champion Legacies: Circles That Keep Widening

Wings stands on the shoulders of courageous survivors, advocates, loved ones, and leaders who brought childhood sexual abuse and related forms of violence out of the shadows long before the world was ready to listen. We honor the many individuals and organizations whose dedication has expanded awareness, advanced healing, and strengthened communities over generations, creating pathways of hope for those who follow.

We are especially grateful to Wings’ founding leaders, Nancy Biros Derdul and Mary Shannon pictured below, along with many early survivor volunteers, whose courage, creativity, and determination created one of the first spaces focused on the healing of intrafamilial childhood sexual abuse at a time when this issue was rarely discussed. They challenged a culture of silence and helped make it possible for survivors to be seen, believed, and supported. They also continued to expand an inclusive focus on how many different people experience childhood sexual abuse.

We also honor trailblazing survivors, including Marilyn Van Derbur Atler, and loved ones, including Larry Atler, whose willingness to speak openly about childhood sexual abuse helped awaken national and international awareness. Their courage, leadership, and advocacy, alongside that of countless other survivors and allies, made it harder for the world to look away. Marilyn stood courageously in her truth and invited others to do the same. Larry showed what it means to stand alongside a survivor with unwavering belief and support. Many of the survivors and loved ones featured in the Champions of Healing™ learning series chose to share their own stories because Marilyn and Larry helped them see that such courage was possible.

We also honor the many survivors, advocates, researchers, healers, and community leaders from BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, disability communities, faith communities, Tribal communities, male survivors, immigrant communities, and other historically marginalized groups who have expanded understanding of healing and resilience. Many helped challenge assumptions about who experiences childhood sexual abuse, whose stories are heard, and what healing can look like across diverse cultures and lived experiences. Their leadership has helped widen the circle of support, ensuring that more adult survivors can see themselves reflected in this movement and know they belong.

The courage of these leaders and so many others helped create a movement that continues to widen the circle, welcoming more voices, more stories, and more Champions of Healing. Together, we are building community, restoring pathways to healing, and transforming the conditions that have kept adult survivors isolated, unheard, and underserved for far too long.

Your Place in the Circle

Every person has a place in the circle of healing.

You may be a survivor, a loved one, a friend, a professional, an advocate, a donor, a volunteer, or someone who is just beginning to learn about this issue. Whatever brings you here, welcome. Your presence matters. The progress we have made has been possible because people before us chose to speak, to listen, to believe, to support, and to act.

Today, the circle keeps widening. By learning, sharing stories, supporting survivors, advancing healing, or helping build awareness, you become part of a growing community committed to ensuring that no survivor has to walk their healing journey alone.

The legacy of those who came before us lives on through all who choose to stand today.

As the circle widens, their courage becomes our courage, their hope becomes our hope, and their call to healing becomes ours to carry forward.

What will you stand for, today?

Join us. Become a Champion of Healing today.