Meg Ryan once said in an interview with Oprah that, “If there’s light shining on you for any reason, then you should stand next to something that matters.” That quote is ever the more significant when standing next to a personal cause, opening oneself up to an unnecessarily vulnerability in a bid to help others. Such is the case with Patrick Stewart, who has been honest about the domestic abuse his mother suffered at the hands of his father, and who has since dedicated himself to preventing violence against women. While speaking at Comicpalooza, Stewart gave a passionate speech in answer to a young woman’s question about his most important work outside of acting. The woman later elaborated about the conversation on her blog, saying:
“Sir Patrick didn’t even hesitate, he smiled, hopped off the stage and came over to embrace me in a hug. … He held me there for a long while. He told me ‘You never have to go through that again, you’re safe now.’ I couldn’t stop thanking him. His embrace was so warm and genuine. It was two people, two strangers, supporting and giving love. And when we pulled away he looked straight in my eyes, like he was promising that. He told me to take care. And I will.”
