"A national hero": Grace Tame's tribute to Brittany Higgins
Grace Tame has wished Brittany Higgins a happy birthday in the form of an emotional tribute.
The former Australian of the Year shared a behind the scenes photo of the pair from their cover shoot with Marie Claire magazine in November 2021 of their "Women of the Year" issue.
The photo shows the women smiling and looking relaxed, but Grace explained the picture was "nothing like the reality of that day."
“It was anxiety, distress, exhaustion, invasion of personal space, and a quarter of an hour spent in the bathroom decompressing afterwards at dinner. It was tears.”
In her moving tribute to Ms Higgins, Ms Tame said her friend was a “warrior” and “a national hero”.
“Over the past 18 months of getting to know Brittany Higgins, I have been moved by a person who is thoughtful and measured, who is reserved and self-effacing."
“I have been awed and floored by her intelligence, kindness, vulnerability and determination to keep fighting for herself and others."
“She has provided support, comfort and reinforcement for myself and others amid some of the darkest, loneliest times. She is indeed a light.”
Ms Tame also praised Ms Higgins for her response to national scrutiny in the face of her trial agains Bruce Lehrmann.
“Brittany Higgins has taken every step of her excruciating journey under a microscope; with a nation breathing down her neck. This is no mean feat."
“I am not a judge or jury, but I am a person who has also walked repeatedly in the line of fire – often alone – and it is not for the faint-hearted."
“However, it is not for this reason that I stand with Brittany. It is simply because she is a decent human being. I stand with Brittany because I have compassion for her."
“Brittany Higgins is a national hero.”
Ms Higgins spent her 28th birthday on Wednesday in a mental health clinic in Queensland, after her trial against Mr Lehrmann was dropped out of fears for her mental health.
Image credits: Instagram