Blake Lively took the stage at the Time 100 Gala on Thursday night, delivering a heartfelt and powerful speech that touched on workplace safety, women’s voices, and personal resilience. Honored as one of Time magazine’s “Most Influential People of 2025,” the actress and producer used her moment at New York City’s Lincoln Center to reflect on her journey and pay tribute to her mother’s courage.

Beginning her remarks, Lively hinted at recent personal struggles, including an ongoing legal battle with actor and director Justin Baldoni. However, she chose not to dwell on the details, saying, “I have so much to say about the last two years of my life, but tonight is not the forum.”

Instead, Lively focused on a broader message about empowerment and survival. She spoke passionately about what it means to be a woman with a voice today, emphasizing the importance of standing up and speaking out, even when facing enormous challenges.

Introducing her mother, Willie Elain McAlpin, to the audience, Lively shared an emotional story of survival. She revealed that her mother was a victim of a heinous crime at the hands of a work acquaintance years ago, before Blake was even born. Her mother, a mother of three at the time, survived an attempt on her life but never received justice for the attack.

“My mom never got justice from her work acquaintance who attempted to take her life,” Lively told the audience, her voice filled with emotion. She credited another brave woman, whose story was shared publicly on the radio, with helping her mother find a sense of validation and healing.

Throughout her speech, Blake Lively stressed the critical importance of workplace safety and the need for society to support survivors of violence. She also made it clear that her own experiences have strengthened her resolve to advocate for safer work environments and greater protections for women.

The star of “It Ends With Us” closed her speech by celebrating the resilience of survivors and the courage it takes to speak the truth, even in the face of fear and adversity. Her words resonated deeply with the audience, drawing a standing ovation.

Lively’s appearance at the Time 100 Gala marked a poignant and inspiring moment, highlighting her growing role not just as an entertainer, but as a powerful advocate for change.