#MeToo founder Tarana Burke

#MeToo founder Tarana Burke

Join the Women’s Institute of SUNY Broome and others for an evening with #MeToo Founder Tarana Burke from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. May 8 at the Baldwin Gym in the SUNY Broome Student Center. Burke will share the heartbreaking story behind the genesis of the #MeToo movement, while empowering those who have experienced sexual trauma or harassment. On stage, she provides words of empowerment that lift up marginalized voices, enabling survivors of all races, genders and classes to know they are not alone, while creating a place of comfort and healing for those who have experienced trauma.

The #MeToo campaign has emerged as a rallying cry for people who have survived sexual assault and sexual harassment, and its “silence breakers” were named TIME magazine’s 2017 Person of the Year.

A sexual assault survivor herself, Burke has dedicated more than 25 years of her life to social justice. She currently is working under the banner of the #MeToo movement to assist other survivors and individuals who work to end sexual violence. She is also senior director of programs at the Brooklyn-based nonprofit Girls for Gender Equity.

According to Professor Margherita Rossi, founding member of the Women’s Institute, “Sexual harassment and sexual assault happen to so many. We need to listen and act. This is more than a viral moment. Because of the work Tarana Burke has done, we actually have the opportunity to hand our children a different world.”

Event co-sponsors include SUNY Broome President Kevin E. Drumm, SUNY Broome’s Division of Student Development and Diversity, Student Activities, Student Assembly, President’s Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion, Counseling Services, the Center for Civic Engagement and the Broome Community College Foundation; Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger, BU’s Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, the Binghamton University Center for Civic Engagement and the Student Association of Binghamton University; the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central NY; and Democratic Women of Broome County.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with Burke’s presentation to follow at 6:30 p.m. and a Question and Answer session from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. A VIP Reception will follow the program.

The event is free and open to the public.

The Women’s Institute of SUNY Broome Community College exists to advance women’s Issues through education, research, and local, state, and national outreach in areas of modern day concerns important to women.