We got the chance to meet the beautiful Leeann Tweeden and learn about her incredible story when we featured her on our November 2014 cover of Military Spouse Magazine.
“Leeann Tweeden is a knockout. She has appeared on the covers of FHM and Maxim, she has modeled for Sports Illustrated, and was the star of the Frederick’s of Hollywood catalog and the Venus Swimwear line. Her magazine covers are some of the highest selling of all time. She has hosted a variety of programs, from “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” to ESPN’s “Fitness Beach.” She regularly appears with Dr. Drew on HLN and is the spokesperson of Rethinking Autism.
But there’s more to Leeann than glossy pages and her superstar smile. Since 2002, she has toured with the USO over 16 times visiting military in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans and beyond. She tirelessly dedicates herself to military causes, speaking at events, and traveling to military hospitals to visit with the wounded.
Leeann Tweeden is the daughter of an Air Force Veteran. She is a mother. And she is also a military spouse. ”
Read her full story here.
Now Leeann has joined the group of brave men and women who are honestly sharing their past wounds from prominent figures who have sexually mistreated them.
She has openly accused Senator Al Franken of forcibly kissing her without consent while they were rehearsing for a USO skit, as well as groping her while she was asleep during travel.
Leeann told Good Morning America:
“Maybe I have a platform to speak out, because if he did this to somebody else or if anybody else has stayed silent or anybody else has been the victim of any kind of abuse, maybe they can speak out and feel like they can come forward in real time and not wait a decade or longer.”
ABC News reported, “Tweeden said she had immediately wanted to go public with her account but she stayed quiet because it was a “different time” and her now-husband had warned that she would be “victimized” and her career would be ruined.”
Franken has admitted to the accusation and has offered up his apologies saying, “While I don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does, I understand why we need to listen to and believe women’s experiences…there’s no excuse. I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself.”
Thank you for your bravery, Leeann.
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