18: Everyone Has A Story: Organizing In The Wake Of #MeToo

This week we’re talking #MeToo and empowerment with Chelsea Talbert and SpeakOut253 host Jessica Gavre. Chelsea and Jessica founded a group called [Empower Happy Hour](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1993300374255716/) to allow space for people to talk about sexual harassment and their experiences. The Empower Happy Hours were started after a news story detailing sexual harassment from a local elected official was released. The story broke as the #MeToo movement was creating waves of empowerment for people to share stories of sexual harassment and abuse creating the perfect environment for such an event. There was a need in Tacoma to create safe space to talk about these experiences and learn about what next steps for holding abusers accountable, enter [Empower Happy Hour](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1993300374255716/). Since then three happy hours were hosted earlier this year, and the group has continued to bring women into the political sphere and will continue to hold events in the future.

These spaces are so powerful not only for having safe space to share personal experiences but also to brainstorm ways to create change. One idea that came from the Empower Happy Hours is the idea of having a database of people who will provide physical support for when someone needs it, like when they have to interact with their abuser or go to HR to issue a complaint. If our listeners have any thoughts on what support they would like to see in the Tacoma community surrounding sexual harassment, [reach out Chelsea or Jessica](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1993300374255716/)! If this episode has inspired you to create action in your own community, consider engaging in your workplace’s policies for handling sexual harassment and if there are areas in the policy or workplace atmosphere that could be improved, start that conversation!

Links:

[Empower Happy Hour Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1993300374255716/)

[UPS Peer Allies](https://www.pugetsound.edu/sexual-misconduct-resource-center/prevention/brave/peer-allies/)