GAZELLE MAGAZINE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH EDITION | Page 85

WELLNESS & WELL-BEING
ALEX STALLINGS, 40
Community Engagement
Manager
T
arana Burke launched the
#MeToo movement in 2007,
after a conversation where she
realized the power, affirmation
and solidarity in survivors
acknowledging each other’s experience. As a
survivor of childhood sexual abuse, my early
interpretation of what happened meant I
carried the burden of secrecy and shame. As
an adult, I experienced freedom and have
shared my memories across many safe places,
from public stages in advocacy to one-on-
one conversations. Unfortunately, I have
lost count of the number of friends, family
members, strangers and loved ones who
respond with shifts in their bodies, slow nods,
mumbled words or tearful anger, affirming
that they, too, understand my words through
memories in their bodies. May all find healing
until none need it anymore.
SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY
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