Black HerStory Month Day 7
Happy Day Seven!! I truly hope that you are enjoying this series and I hope that you are learning about some phenomenal Black Queens that give the term #BlackGirlMagic a truly magical meaning! As with yesterday’s Queen, I didn’t know much about today’s either! But, in all honesty, that is why I wanted to do this, so that I could learn a bit more about some amazing women that look like me! Let me introduce you to Ms. Tarana Burke! A Powerhouse of a civil rights activist! She is the Founder of the “Me Too” movement started in 2006 and has since grown into a coast to coast campaign raising awareness around sexual harassment, sexual assault and abuse in the world! #YesMam
Humble Beginnings: Tarana Burke shined her light through the world on September 12, 1973 (VIRGOOOOO). History teaches us that the 70’s was a transformative time! They gifted us with cultural change, technological innovation, women’s rights movements and so much more! Little is known about her family life except that she was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, by a single mother. Queen Burke did not have the easiest life in her early years! She grew up in a working-class, low-income family. Many of her childhood years were spent in the housing projects, and hardships. To make matters worse this Gem was raped and sexually assaulted as a child and during her teenage years. Thankfully her mother was supportive and helped her through this time! “But Still I Rise”. And rise she did, graduating from Auburn University and again from Alabama State University! Her mother encouraged her to give back, and get involved in the community! Tarana’s experiences inspired her passion for change and cultivated her desire to be a positive role model in the lives of young girls enduring extreme hardships. Although little is know about Queen Tarana’s personal life, she does have a daughter, Kaia Burke, who, much like her own mother, she raises as a single mother.
Early Career: Upon graduating she started her professional career in Selma, Alabama. Here she worked with the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement, the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute, and the Black Belt Arts and Cultural Center. In 2003, while working at her nonprofit Just Be Inc., the “Me Too” phrase was born! Just Be Inc is an organization that focuses on the well-being of young women of color! The phrase came about as Tarana was talking with a young girl who told her she had been sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend! While trying to find the right words to say, she realized the best way to connect to the countless number of women who had told her similar stories in the past, was to let them know “You’re not alone. This happened to me too.” It was from that point “Me Too” allowed Trana to shape the foundation of her campaign that would help girls and women who have experienced sexual harassment, abuse, or assault understand that an unfortunate situation does not have to define you!
“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.’”
In educating myself on this amazingly strong woman, I learned that she had been abused three times in her life! She also stated that it is astounding how pervasive sexual abuse is. Which is so very sad. Burke, during her early years, worked with some girls in the Tuskegee, Alabama area. This further solidified the necessity of “Me Too”. She said that in a room of 30 girls she expected around 5 or 6 “Me Too’s”, would you believe in a room full of 30 girls she got 20 me too’s...TWENTY, there were 20 girls in this room that had each been subjected to sexual abuse in one form or another! That is an atrocity!
Today: When she is not out breaking barriers she is being named one of “The Silence Breakers” by Time magazine, or she is serving as Senior Director of the Girls for Gender Equity in Brooklyn! Girl you just don’t stop do you!! In 2018, she brought in the new year with a bang! She did the ball drop in Times Square! She has also been rubbing elbows with some pretty cool people! She and Former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams went to the 75th Golden Globe Awards together! Ms. Burke knows how to capitalize on a moment! She used BOTH of these opportunities to bring awareness to the MeToo Movement! She didn’t stop there though, she won the Voices of the Year Catalyst Award from She Knows Media, and I don’t imagine her slowing down anytime soon!
Where to Find More: This is just too powerful to pass up! Learn more about Me Too and what Tarana Burke is doing to change the lives of sexual assault survivors everywhere right here!
Thank you Ms. Burke for your work surrounding a very sensitive topic! Thank you for showing other survivors THEY ARE NOT ALONE! Thank you for being so willing to tell your story and push through so that others can tell theirs! You are a powerhouse, a trailblazer, the epitome of strength with a cup full of #BlackGirlMagicSauce!
As always, thank you ALL for allowing me to share my passions with you and I hope that my blog inspires you to go after what you want and believe in yourself in every aspect, because I believe in you! Now strike your POWER POSE 🕺💃- We got this, NOW LET’S GET TO IT!!!
Keep Shining Loves
-💕 Jazz
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