Amanda Nguyen, a celebrated activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, has unveiled the cover of her upcoming memoir Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope, offering an exclusive first look at her powerful journey. The memoir, set to be published in March 2025, recounts Nguyen’s experiences following her rape in 2013 and her subsequent fight to protect the rights of sexual assault survivors.
Nguyen was a student at Harvard University when she was raped, an experience that changed the trajectory of her life. Determined not to let this trauma define her future, she filed her rape kit under the name “Jane Doe” in order to remain anonymous. However, she soon discovered that her anonymity put her at risk of losing access to justice, as her kit was scheduled for destruction by the state of Massachusetts. This sparked her lifelong fight for survivors' rights.
Nguyen’s memoir chronicles her advocacy journey, including her pivotal role in passing the Sexual Assault Survivor’s Rights Act in 2016. The book also explores her personal growth, incorporating narratives from her younger selves at ages 5, 15, 22, and 30, painting a picture of her resilience through each stage of life.
"This is a book of pure bravery," said Questlove, whose imprint AUWA is publishing Saving Five. "Amanda Nguyen went through a deeply traumatic experience and came out the other side in ways that helped lift up countless others."
Nguyen’s activism extends beyond sexual assault. She was a key figure in the 2021 Stop Asian Hate Movement, using her platform to raise awareness about violence and discrimination against the AAPI community. She was named a TIME Woman of the Year in 2022 and has been an inspiration to countless individuals who seek justice and healing.
In addition to her advocacy work, Nguyen is also on track to fulfill her childhood dream of going to space. Her first flight with Blue Origin is planned for 2025, marking another milestone in her extraordinary journey.
Nguyen describes her memoir as a gift to all survivors: "This book is written for every survivor. Writing it helped me heal. It is my greatest hope that these pages can help heal all who seek it, to show we can make it through."
Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold, and will be released on March 5, 2025.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
