US based founder of the Me Too movement Tarana Burke and Australian activist and journalist Tracy Spicer are joint winners of the 2019 Sydney Peace Prize on behalf of the Me Too movement.
The two recipients will receive the Prize on 14 November at Sydney Town Hall where they will deliver the 2019 Sydney Peace Prize lecture.
Tarana Burke is the US-based founder of the Me Too Movement. She began building the movement in 2006 to help survivors of sexual violence, particularly black women and girls, connect to resources for healing, and to build a survivor-led community of advocates against sexual violence. Her grassroots work has now expanded to reach a global community of survivors from all walks of life.
Tracey Spicer is a journalist, author and broadcaster who spearheaded the Me Too Movement in Australia. She has produced award-winning investigations into sexual harassment in media workplaces, and created NOW Australia in 2018 to support those who have been sexually harassed in their workplace and to advocate for safe workplaces.
The 2019 Sydney Peace Prize Jury’s citation lauds “Me Too” for empowering survivors of sexual harassment and violence, and elevating their voices; for championing truth and justice; for highlighting the breadth and impact of sexual violence worldwide; and for launching a demand for change that is sweeping the world”
The Sydney Peace Prize is Australia’s international prize for peace, awarded by the Sydney Peace Foundation at the University of Sydney. The Prize recognises leading global voices that promote peace, justice and nonviolence. Laureates include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson, Noam Chomsky, Patrick Dodson, Naomi Klein, and the Black Lives Matter Global Network.
Archie Law, Chair of the Sydney Peace Foundation, said “From over 200 nominations from the community, the 2019 Sydney Peace Prize Jury chose the Me Too Movement because it has fundamentally changed the way we understand and talk about sexual harassment and violence, highlighting the breadth and impact of sexual harassment and violence around the world, in homes, public spaces, and workplaces.
To interview Tarana Bourke or Tracy Spicer please call Phil Davey +61 414 867 188 – please note opportunities are limited
Archie Law the Chair of the Sydney Peace Foundation at the University of Sydney is also
