AP Photo/Jessica Hill. FileMaya Moore, WNBA legend, will be awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at 2021 ESPYs in recognition of her contributions to social justice and criminal justice reform.Moore stated that he was honored to receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. "In the face injustice, the courage and determination to care about justice and human dignity is now celebrated in this significant way. I'm so happy to Jonathan [Irons] as well as all those who contributed to this victory."Moore hasn't played in the WNBA for over a decade, as she is focusing on criminal justice reform. Her most prominent work was her advocacy to release Jonathan Irons who was sentenced at 16 to 50 years for burglary, assault and other crimes. Irons was released after 23 years.Irons, 32 years old, was also married to Irons in 2020.The UConn graduate, in addition to her work with Irons, is a strong advocate for End It Movement, which combats modern-day slavery.End It Movement's website states that "there are more people in slavery today than ever before" "Most people know very little about the most important human rights issue in our time." END IT Movement is a group of ordinary people who are united in the hope that slavery and human trafficking can be stopped.Robin Roberts will present the award to Moore. Roberts will produce a documentary about Moore's contributions to criminal justice reform. It is expected to be released later in the year.Moore was a four-time WNBA champion and the 2014 WNBA MVP. She was also a six-time All Star during her career. Moore, a 6'1" forward, is not expected to return to the court until then.The Missouri native stated in March that she wanted to spend the entire year with Irons and relax.
