WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- A group of women from Maine returned home early Saturday morning after traveling to the nation's capitol to speak face-to-face with Senator Susan Collins to share their stories of surviving sexual violence in hopes of convincing her to vote 'no' on Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
The five women agreed to share their identities: Catherine Perreault, of Madawaska; Kathleen McFadden, of Prospect Harbor; Cecelia Corey, of Clinton; Amanda O'Brien, of Portland; and Tamara Field of Belfast.
The women marched with fists raised into Senator Collins' office in D.C. on Friday morning, asking to speak with her. One of the organizers, former Maine state representative Diane Russell, said she reached out to Senator Collins' scheduler to arrange a meeting, but after not receiving a reply, they walked to her office.
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Russell said initially they were told that Collins would not be available to meet with them, but was later told that the Senator cleared her schedule to sit down with the women from Maine, and later spoke with them for about 20 minutes.
"These women wanted Senator Collins to believe them because in doing so it might make it clear that she should believe Doctor Ford and the other women that have come forward with some really horrifying allegations," said Russell. "If [Sen. Collins] ends up ultimately voting against women and victims, it will send a message, not only to women and girls in Maine, but around the country, that even women in power don't believe women."
The women said the meeting was short, but impactful.
"I'm hopeful. I don't know for sure. I'm a little bit circumspect because of her history, but if she votes 'yes' for Kavanaugh I will feel very betrayed," said one survivor.
"I do feel like she heard us. She was very sincere in listening to us," said Catherine Perreault, who traveled from Madawaska. "I hope that affects her decision-making. All we can do is share with her, tell our stories, and ask her to represent us -- her constituents."
Russell said she expects to go back to D.C. next week for the results of the FBI investigation.