LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT – Pictured: Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson — (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC)

Now that we’re already a quarter of the way through the 21st century, it’s pretty amazing to consider that Law & Order: SVU has been on the air continuously since the 20th century. (It’s the only drama with that distinction; on the comedy side, only The Simpsons can make the same claim.) With that kind of longevity, SVU has rightfully earned legendary status. And, as the only cast member who’s been on board since Day One, Mariska Hargitay has seen the show and its audience evolve over the years. Over the show’s 26-season run, she’s spoken about how the show’s fans have come to view it as much more than just entertainment.  (Click on the media bar below to hear Mariska Hargitay.)

Mariska Hargitay Fans Gush Over ‘Incredible’ Event That Was ‘So Special to Witness’

‘Wow so much strength in one room,’ wrote a fan on Instagram.

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As the longtime star of Law & Order: SVU, Mariska Hargitay has always been an outspoken advocate for victims of sexual assault—so it was no surprise when she hosted an event celebrating the release of a powerful new book on the topic.

On Tuesday, March 11, Hargitay moderated a Q&A to kick off the book tour for Amy Griffin‘s debut memoir, “The Tell.” In a pair of black and white photos shared to Hargitay’s Instagram, the 61-year-old actress and the author shared the stage together, with Hargitay reaching out to grab Griffin’s hand in one pic and the pair sharing an embrace in the second. She also posted an image of the book’s cover art.

“My heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude after last night’s book tour launch for Amy Griffin’s ‘The Tell,'” Hargitay wrote in her caption.

“My heart is also just so full of love for you, @amygriffin , and I’m so proud to call you my dear friend,” she continued, adding, “Thank you for telling your story. In ‘The Tell’, Amy shares her journey through harrowing emotional terrain—and demonstrates on every page how courage, strength and vulnerability go hand in hand on her way to a new, hard-won freedom. How lucky we all are to hear, learn from and bear witness to her story in ‘The Tell.’ ‘Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.’ Carl Jung.”

Hargitay’s fans gushed over the evening in the comments, which was also attended by famous book lovers Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Jenna Bush Hager.

“It was so special to witness! This was incredible ,” wrote one person.

“Wow so much strength in one room,” a second Instagram user added.

“It was such a beautiful night, you both did amazing ,” raved a third commenter.

In another moment from the evening shared to Instagram by Oprah’s Book Club, Winfrey joined Hargitay in praising Griffin’s book.