Founder of the #MeToo movement and social activist Tarana Burke will speak at Occidental College on Monday, February 26.
The event, held in Thorne Hall at 8 p.m., is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets may be reserved through the Eventbrite page.
A brief Q&A session will follow an interview of Burke by two Occidental students. She will share the story behind the genesis of the viral movement. The #MeToo hashtag campaign has emerged as a rallying cry for people everywhere who have survived sexual assault and sexual harassment — and Burke’s powerful, poignant story as creator of what is now an international movement that supports survivors will move, uplift and inspire.
#MeToo is not just an overnight hashtag sensation; Burke has dedicated more than 25 years of her life to social justice and to laying the groundwork for a movement that was initially created to help young women of color who survived sexual abuse and assault. The movement now inspires solidarity, amplifies the voices thousands of victims of sexual abuse and puts the focus back on survivors.
A sexual assault survivor herself, Burke is now working under the banner of the #MeToo movement to assist other survivors and those who work to end sexual violence. She is also senior director at Brooklyn-based Girls for Gender Equity. On stage, she provides words of empowerment that lift up marginalized voices; enables survivors across all races, genders and classes to know that they are not alone; and creates a place for comfort and healing to those who have experienced trauma.
Burke’s talk is sponsored by Residential Education & Housing Services, Project SAFE, the Office of Community Engagement, the Intercultural Community Center the chief diversity officer and the Remsen Bird Fund.
