Tarana Burke

Tarana Burke is best known for founding the Me Too movement, a global campaign that has transformed the way society understands and responds to sexual violence.

Born on September 12, 1973, in The Bronx, New York, Burke was raised in a working-class family and faced the trauma of sexual abuse as a child. These early experiences profoundly shaped her commitment to justice and healing. As a teenager, she was involved in activism, organizing in her community around racial, gender, and economic issues. She continued this work through college in Alabama, where she deepened her focus on the empowerment of young Black women and girls.

In the early 2000s, Burke co-founded Just Be, Inc., an organization aimed at supporting the well-being of young Black girls. It was through her work there that the seeds of Me Too were planted. In 2006, after a heart-wrenching conversation with a young survivor of sexual violence, Burke created the phrase “me too” as a way to express solidarity and support.

The phrase remained largely within grassroots and community circles until 2017, when it exploded into the global consciousness following a wave of allegations against powerful figures in Hollywood. The hashtag #MeToo spread virally on social media, bringing millions of survivors together. Actress Alyssa Milano helped popularize the term online but quickly acknowledged Burke as the originator of the movement.

Tarana BurkeRobert Shetterly

Said Burke: “With two words, folks who have been wearing the fear and shame … are able to come out into the sunlight and see that we are a global community.” (Americans Who Tell the Truth)

In the same year, Burke and other survivors were honored as Time magazine’s “Person of the Year,” recognized as the “Silence Breakers.” Her influence continued to grow as she became a key figure in global conversations around sexual harassment, gender justice, and survivor-led advocacy.

As founder and Chief Vision Officer of me too. International, Burke has continued to expand the movement’s reach. Her focus is not just on high-profile cases but on the everyday experiences of marginalized communities—especially Black women, LGBTQ+ people, and working-class survivors. She emphasizes that Me Too is not just about going viral or taking down abusers, but about long-term cultural change and survivor healing.

In recent years, Burke has been vocal about the importance of sustaining the movement beyond social media. She has spoken out about connecting sexual violence to broader issues like gun violence, incarceration, homelessness, and maternal mortality.

Burke is currently actively preparing for the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, aiming to mobilize survivors politically.

FlikrTarana Burke

Burke’s awards include the ‘Harvard Gleitsman Citizen Activist Award’, ‘The Ridenhour Courage Prize’ and ‘She Knows Media Voices of the Year Catalyst Award, BBC 100 Women’.