Tarana Burke
Tarana Burke (born 1973) is an American activist, author, and founder of the "Me Too" movement, a global campaign aimed at raising awareness about sexual violence and supporting survivors. Her work has been instrumental in shifting cultural conversations around sexual harassment, assault, and gender-based violence, particularly in workplaces and institutions. Burke's advocacy has garnered international recognition, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets and publications for her role in amplifying the voices of survivors.
Early Life and Education
Tarana Burke was born in 1973 in New York City and raised in the Bronx. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied African American studies and sociology. Her early experiences with racial and gender-based discrimination influenced her commitment to social justice. Burke later earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan.
Activism and the Me Too Movement
Burke’s activism began in the 1990s, when she worked with youth programs focused on empowering marginalized communities. In 2006, she founded the "Just Be" organization, which provided mentorship and support to young women of color. It was during this time that she first used the phrase "Me Too" in a 2006 blog post to describe the widespread nature of sexual violence.
The phrase gained global prominence in 2017 after Tarana Burke encouraged actress Alyssa Milano to use it during the #MeToo movement’s resurgence, which followed allegations against Harvey Weinstein. Burke has since emphasized that the movement was not created by her alone but was a continuation of grassroots efforts by survivors. She has also clarified that the movement’s focus on systemic change, particularly for women of color and low-income survivors, often gets overshadowed by media narratives centered on high-profile cases.
Recognition and Advocacy
Tarana Burke has received numerous awards for her work, including the 2018 Women of the Year Award from the Time magazine and the 2020 United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles Award. She has also authored books such as *Unlocking Us: A Guide to Living with More Love, Less Fear, and a Little Bit of Courage* (2021) and *Yes, We Are: A New Vision for Justice, Equity, and Healing* (2023).
Burke has collaborated with organizations like the African American Policy Forum and the Center for American Progress to address racial and gender disparities in the justice system. She has also been a vocal advocate for policies that expand access to reproductive healthcare and mental health services for survivors.
Personal Life
Tarana Burke has spoken openly about her own experiences with sexual violence and the importance of healing and community support. She is a mother and has emphasized the need for intersectional approaches to activism that center the needs of Black women and other marginalized groups.
Legacy and Ongoing Work
As of 2024, Tarana Burke continues to lead the "Me Too" movement through the Me Too Movement organization, which focuses on grassroots activism, policy reform, and survivor support. She has also launched initiatives like the "Me Too Global" campaign, which addresses sexual violence in conflict zones and humanitarian crises.
Burke’s work remains a cornerstone of contemporary movements for gender equality and justice, and she continues to challenge systemic inequities through education, advocacy, and direct action.
References
- [Time magazine: Tarana Burke’s 2018 Women of the Year Award](https://time.com) - [United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles Award](https://un.org) - [African American Policy Forum](https://aapf.org) - [Center for American Progress](https://americanprogress.org)
External links
- [Me Too Movement official website](https://metoomovement.org) - [[[Tarana Burke]]’s book *Unlocking Us*](https://penguinrandomhouse.com) - [[[Tarana Burke]]’s book *Yes, We Are*](https://penguinrandomhouse.com)
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