The women who kept advocating for Brittney Griner’s release

“She’s safe. She’s on a plane. She’s on her way home,” he said.

Those words carried more weight than ever after weeks of reports that described Griner’s condition as getting more and more dire. Griner was detained on drug charges in Russia in February after cannabis oil residue was found in her luggage. She was sentenced to nine years in prison. In October, her lawyers said she was losing confidence that the U.S. would secure her release. Last month, she was moved to a penal colony with incredibly harsh conditions.

Now, Griner is home. “Today, my family is whole,” her wife, Cherelle Griner, said yesterday. The Biden administration agreed to exchange Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for Griner. The White House did not secure the release of Paul Whelan, another American detained in Russia.

Since Griner was detained in February, her family, friends, and teammates have advocated for her release. At first, that advocacy was quiet—Griner’s closest friends and family were advised to aim to secure her release without turning the process into a geopolitical issue. But when that tactic failed, those who care for Griner became loud advocates for her safety, urging the Biden administration to do more to get her home.

Every chance they got, WNBA players and coaches raised the issue on the court and on ESPN, urging people not to forget about Griner, whom they call BG. Full Circle Strategies CEO Jotaka Eaddy started her day yesterday by speaking with Olympic coach Dawn Staley and Women’s National Basketball Players Association head Terri Jackson. The three have worked together to advocate for Griner’s release, using the platform of the Win With Black Women Network, which Eaddy convened. “I believe that it is a beautiful day in America,” Eaddy told me yesterday morning.

Griner has been through an ordeal she shouldn’t have had to tolerate. Her plane out of Russia is taking her to an Army medical center in San Antonio, where she will be able to receive appropriate medical care. (She is said to be in good health.) For now, those who support Griner are focused on her safety and security. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said yesterday that she will “give her the appropriate space and time” and then “follow what Brittney and her family want to do about reengaging with the WNBA.”

Whether Griner chooses to return to her sport or not, her community is eager to support her. “I cannot wait to see Brittney Griner step foot on American soil,” Eaddy said.

Emma Hinchliffe
emma.hinchliffe@fortune.com
@_emmahinchliffe

The Broadsheet is Fortune’s newsletter for and about the world’s most powerful women. Today’s edition was curated by Paige McGlauflin. Subscribe here.

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PARTING WORDS

“I have learned there’s nothing more powerful than an army of angry women…I really do think there’s something to be said for strength in numbers and strength of women.”

—Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts. As many as 140 candidates who were volunteers with the gun safety activist group were elected to office this year.