Photo courtesy of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association |
KENNEATHIA OWENS WILLIAMS Jewelry Designer
I was 17 years old at my first job , when I was pushed into a back storage room by the owner ’ s father ( retired , but worked there part-time ). He held me by the hands , pinned me against a bookcase and placed his tongue in my mouth . By the grace of God , someone came through the door , and the doorbell went off . He released me and walked into the sales area . He later tried to give me $ 100 for his “ mistake .” I would not accept the money , but did call his son and explained what happened . The son ’ s response was , “ It has happened before ; we will talk to him again .” They changed his work schedule ; however , I felt violated and abused . It could ’ ve been so much worse . I couldn ’ t do anything legally as this man was a public figure in the city where I lived . I wanted to come forward to talk about this because I have been silent for so long , and I have young adult children that I hope never have to face such wrongdoing . Carrying this dark secret throughout my life certainly made me more aware of my surroundings and the need to be cautious of being alone with potential predators .
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Actress Michelle Williams , right , poses with Tarana Burke , left , creator of the # MeToo movement , at the Golden Globe Awards
YOLANDA RENEE Child Welfare Agency Manager
The years 1978 and 1984 both changed my life . The same person invaded my person and made me feel “ less ,” not once , but twice . Molested at 5 , and then violated and expecting a baby at 11 , I remember it like it was yesterday - the blaming , the shaming and that cold hospital room with all the other women . With no support from family , I found solace in God , and I know that was the only way I made it through . I then kept what had happened inside . I allowed it to swallow the real me . I didn ’ t speak . I remained silent until my college years when I went from being pre-med to social worker . What happened in those early years not only changed my life , but influenced me to make sure no voice is unheard . |
SINITA WELLS Author and Keynote Speaker
I was about 12 years old when my mother ’ s ex-boyfriend came over late one night , knowing my mother wouldn ’ t be home . I let him in because he was not a stranger to me . I don ’ t know how a friendly conversation turned into me being thrust up against a wall , having parts of my body - that had never been touched before - aggressively groped and grabbed , and things whispered to me like I was an adult . I could not move or say anything . I finally mustered up enough voice to say , “ My mama will be back in a minute ,” to which he had the audacity to tell me to come by his apartment the next morning on my way to school . “ OK ,” I said , because that was the only way to get him to stop and leave . I never told my mother until I was an adult . |