Activist Tarana Burke Will Speak at Smith

Tarana Burke—social justice activist and founder of the ‘me too.’ Movement—will give a talk at Smith College at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, in John M. Greene Hall.

The event—which marks the dedication of Smith’s Wurtele Center for Leadership—is open to the public at no charge. No tickets are required.

About Event Seating

Burke’s talk will take place in John M. Greene Hall, which seats approximately 2,000 people.

Doors will open to current Smith and Five College students, faculty and staff at 6:20 p.m. Smith alumnae and members of the general public will be admitted at 6:40 p.m.

No tickets are necessary, but a current I.D. is required.

About Tarana Burke

The ‘me too.’ hashtag campaign has emerged as a rallying cry for people everywhere who have survived sexual assault and sexual harassment.

That movement is not an overnight hashtag sensation; Tarana 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 of 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 ‘me too.’ Movement to assist other survivors and those who work to end sexual violence. She is also senior director of programs at Brooklyn-based Girls for Gender Equity. 

Burke’s continued work with the ‘me too.’ Movement earned her the honor of being named The Root 100′s most influential person of 2018.

About the Wurtele Center for Leadership

The Wurtele Center for Leadership was established with a visionary gift from Margaret Wurtele ’67 and her late husband, Angus Wurtele. 

The center strives to help students realize their leadership potential, as well as discover the leadership that exists in everyday life.