This ex-basketball star used to be beaten by her husband. Hear her story at a Fresno event

Former professional basketball star Ruthie Bolton was one of the most accomplished athletes during her career, winning two gold medals in the Olympics and earning All-WNBA honors.

But her personal life was in shambles, as Bolton was locked in an abusive relationship and routinely beaten by her then-husband.

Bolton’s story has been told before.

This time, those in the Fresno area have a chance to hear Bolton’s struggles with domestic violence in person.

Bolton will serve as the keynote speaker at the 34th annual Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards, which is hosted by the Marjaree Mason Center.

“I hope that after sharing my story,” Bolton says in a news release, “other people dealing with domestic violence can feel empowered and … turn their pain into power.”

The Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards will be held Oct. 13 at the Fresno Convention Center.

Marjaree Mason Center, Fresno County’s only dedicated provider of domestic violence safe housing and support services, announced Bolton as its keynote speaker Tuesday.

Bolton was a gold medalist in 1996 and 2000 as well as a USA Basketball Female of the Year and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.

“Mighty Ruthie” was the original franchise player of the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs (defunct since 2009) and spent eight years in the league.

The annual Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards is an awards ceremony that honors local professionals, attracting more than 1,000 attendees with the goal of honoring individuals in the community while also raising awareness of domestic violence.

This event pays tribute to 10 women who have served as role models and given back to their communities, all while making strides in their professions.

One business is also honored as the Leading Business of the Year for its support of women and women’s issues.

To nominate someone for this award, go to mmcenter.org/top-ten.

Nominations are due July 21.

This story was originally published June 27, 2017 at 6:55 PM with the headline "This ex-basketball star used to be beaten by her husband. Hear her story at a Fresno event."