Origins & Early Life

Tarana Burke (born September 12, 1973) is an American activist from New York City who started the MeToo movement. In 2006, Burke began Me Too as a youth program for junior and high school students with the goal of addressing the rampant sexual violence in the community. Over a decade later, in 2017, #MeToo became a viral hashtag when Alyssa Milano encouraged women to tweet the words if they had experienced abuse and harassment in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases. The phrase and hashtag quickly developed into a broad-based, and eventually international viral movement.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Time named Burke, among a group of other prominent activists dubbed "the silence breakers", as the Time Person of the Year for 2017. Burke founded me too. International in 2018 as a container for the movement and serves as Chief Vision Officer. In 2020, Harvard University published a case study on Burke. Burke, a native of The Bronx, New York, attended Catholic primary school and Herbert H.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Lehman High School. Her passion for community organizing began in the late 1980s when, as a young girl, she joined a youth development organization called 21st Century Youth Leadership...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adrien Brody — Contemporary (Born in 1973) (1973): Acclaimed American actor known for intense, emotionally charged character portrayals.
• Akon — Contemporary (Born in 1973) (1973): Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, and influential figure in world music.
• Alan Watts — Contemporary (Died in 1973) (1973): Philosopher and lecturer popularizing Eastern thought for the West.
• Alexander Radishchev — Shared historical date (09-12 · Died) (1802): Pioneering Russian social critic whose work exposed the harsh realities of Tsarist Russia.
• Anne Bracegirdle — Shared historical date (09-12 · Died) (1748): Renowned English actress and soprano, celebrated for her vocal performances.
• Alfie Boe — Historical peer (Born in 1973) (1973): Acclaimed English musical theatre star, celebrated for roles like Jean Valjean.
• Banksy — Historical peer (Born in 1973) (1973): Pseudonymous street artist known for satirical stencil work and political activism.
• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Alfredo Stroessner — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Paraguayan military dictator who ruled from 1954 to 1989, known for repression.
• Adnan Khashoggi — Historical peer (Died in 2017) (2017): Saudi businessman and arms dealer, known as 'The Great Gatsby of the Middle East'
• 1973 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1973
• September 12 (09-12) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 12