It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Sandra Fluke, so it’s worth reviewing just how she became a household name — and a state senate candidate, and a featured speaker at the Democratic National Convention, and a nominee for Time Magazine Person of the Year — in the first place. You might say it was her testimony before a Democratic congressional panel on contraception coverage and women’s health, at which she claimed that contraception could cost a law school student more than $3,000.
After a poorly worded insult from Rush Limbaugh made Fluke a national celebrity, she went on to campaign for every liberal cause that crossed her path. Her latest cause: following and street harassment.
Proud @iHollaback member/@Cornell alum! Check out their impt Global #StreetHarassment analysis http://t.co/vcPy4tQL4C pic.twitter.com/fzRcKKHkMd
— Sandra Fluke (@SandraFluke) June 11, 2015
Of course — of course — that survey was of women and transgender women, and the cause is more specifically street harassment of women by men. Oddly, the campaign against following is a joint effort of non-profit Hollaback! and the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations’ Worker Institute, “advancing worker rights and collective representation.” OK then.
Over 50% of women in 22 countries report being fondled or groped #StreetHarassment #EndSH http://t.co/IOZ1MXmoym pic.twitter.com/rMgSLu2mz1
— Sandra Fluke (@SandraFluke) June 11, 2015
Majority of women globally experience their first #StreetHarassment during puberty #EndSH http://t.co/IOZ1MXmoym pic.twitter.com/dZRGm1Csc6
— Sandra Fluke (@SandraFluke) June 11, 2015
"We need to educate the men in our lives that this [sexual harassment] isn't appropriate" #streetharassmenthttp://t.co/TGsUX000zj
— Hollaback! (@iHollaback) June 11, 2015
The Daily Star in Bangladesh notes that “the media can help change perceptions of gender-based violence, and end the culture of acceptance of such violence and the social stigma attached to the victims.” But the first line of defense is the woman herself.
#streetharassment often forces a woman in the moment to choose between being right or being safe.
— Sofia Quintero (@sofiaquintero) June 10, 2015
A woman does not owe your faux politeness a response. We see through your ruse. Get to steppin'. #streetharassment
— Sofia Quintero (@sofiaquintero) June 10, 2015
What would you say are the societal benefits of being a woman?
— Dwayne Rodgers (@DiggsWayne) June 5, 2015
#StreetHarassment, lower wages, getting passed over for promotions, no breastfeeding in public and #bodyshaming. https://t.co/KQAaUyjsjz
— ?? #AtlasArcher (@lenubienne) June 5, 2015
Here’s a hilarious video for those who still don’t get the gender-based violence that is street harassment.
"What If Catcalls Were Cheeseburgers" hilarious video via @tessparas https://t.co/3VfNbeHudh #sexism #streetharassment (H/T @tigerwang)
— Chin Lu 呂錦華 (@ChinHuaLu) June 10, 2015
'Stop Telling Women to Smile', a public art series addressing street harassment, hits the nail on the head. http://t.co/8jDsNt9uzv
— allie baker (@allieMSP) June 1, 2015
We're not buying it, #RapeCulture.#EndRapeCulture #EndVAW #EndSH #StreetHarassment http://t.co/RzZRtX4cXR
— HollaBack! Bahamas (@HollaBack242) June 5, 2015
“Men should call each other out when they see their friends violating women” http://t.co/3bubKRF9Om
— Hollaback! (@iHollaback) June 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/davidmbeasley/status/609069019648421888
For more on Fluke’s contribution to the fight against street harassment, follow her on Twitter — just not too closely.
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