Jefferson County Lincoln Day Dinner

Riley Gaines is a 12-time All-American swimmer and five-time SEC champion from the University of Kentucky. Originally planning to pursue a career in dentistry, Riley’s path changed after she was forced to compete against male swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming Championships. Despite tying Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle, NCAA officials chose to award the trophy to Thomas, sparking Riley’s public stand for fairness in women’s sports. That moment became a turning point, igniting her mission to defend the rights, privacy, and opportunities of women and girls across the country.

Since joining JCRP for our 2023 Lincoln Day Dinner, Riley has become a prominent national voice for protecting women’s sports, spaces, and the integrity of Title IX. As a conservative advocate, she also speaks out for the unborn and champions policies that support women and the most vulnerable among us. Through her activism, Riley is committed to preserving fairness, safety, and dignity for women in every aspect of American life. She has testified before the U.S. Senate and House, and stood behind President Donald Trump at the signing of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025.