Brittney Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, gave a heartfelt speech on Thursday morning from the White House as she joined President Biden in announcing the WNBA star’s release from Russian custody

Brittney Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, gave a heartfelt speech on Thursday morning from the White House as she joined President Biden in announcing the WNBA star’s release from Russian custody. 

The 29-year-old thanked Biden and the “many hands involved” behind the scenes that helped to get Brittney back to the U.S. after spending 294 days behind bars.

But Cherelle’s journey doesn’t end here. During her speech, she affirmed that after having gone through a tumultuous road to get her wife back, Cherelle and her partner plan to help those who remain in captivity, such as businessman Paul Whelan, who has been serving out his 16-year prison sentence at a Russian prison since 2020 following his arrest two years prior for allegedly “spying.”

“B.G. is not here to say this,” Cherelle added. “But I will gladly speak on her behalf to say B.G. and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home, including Paul, whose family is in our hearts today as we celebrate B.G. being home. We do understand that there are still people out here who are enduring what I endure the last nine months of missing tremendously their loved ones.”