Tarana Burke

As we go into March which is the month of women I would like to honor a incredible black women by the name of Tarana Burke. Have you heard her name before? Probably not. I don’t feel that she gets all the credit she should considering she has a big role as a women in her community fighting for civil rights. She is the original founder of the organization called “Me Too” movement which was established in 2006.Her mission is to raise awareness about sexual harassment, abuse, and assault which is now a global phenomenon.

She was born September 12th, 1973 in The Bronx, NY. She had a rough life growing up as a child in a low income and project environment. She had been sexually assaulted and raped many times as a child and a teenager  leaving her mother to support her in recovery. Her mother encouraged her to get involved in her community to let others know that this is a real problem and people shouldn’t be scared to speak up, which is exactly what she did.Her focus is girls who undergo the many hardships of life and try to be the voice and support for them. She is currently writing a memoir, Here the Light Enters: The Founding of the ‘Me Too.’ Movement, to be released by Simon & Schuster imprint Ink 37 in 2019.

Her favorite quote to use is,”On one side, it’s a bold declarative statement that ‘I’m not ashamed’ and ‘I’m not alone.’ On the other side, it’s a statement from survivor to survivor that says ‘I see you, I hear you, I understand you and I’m here for you or I get it.'” She uses this quote to relate to some of the other experiences from the other women. Thats how she came up with the title “Me Too” because some of their same experiences she went though herself. The statement is to empower women as a whole to let them know its never to late and they do have a voice. Their is no problem to little or you don’t think Is that important.I hope this article encourages you to find your voice.