Time’s Up has started a revolution.
The Time’s Up organization addresses the systematic inequality and injustices in the work place through campaigning and outreach. According to the Time’s Up website, one in three women ages 18 to 34 have been sexually harassed in the work place and 71 percent of those women didn’t report the harassment after it occurred.
In November 2017, the Alianza National de Campesinas, a national group that represents 700,000 women working in agriculture, published an open letter to support women confronting predators in Hollywood which stated, “We wish that we could say that we’re shocked to learn tha this is such a pervasive problem in your industry. Sadly, we’re not surprised because it’s a reality we know far too well.”
This sparked the interest of Shonda Rhimes (the producer of hit shows like “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy”), Ashley Judd (an actress in many films like the Divergent series and “Olympus Has Fallen”), Natalie Portman (an actress in many movies like the “Star Wars” prequel and also the “Thor” movies) and America Ferrera (an actress who was in the show “Ugly Betty” and is currently is in the show “Superstore”).
These people are very well known in the industry and have a rather large following, and are the initial start up of the organization. Since the start up, Time’s Up has launched several projects and campaigns, including a legal defense fund that aims to help support less-privileged women who pursue action against abusers in factories, restaurants, hotels and other workplaces.
About a month after it has started the Time’s Up organization has ultimately caused an uproar among women all over the film industry. Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Meryl Streep, and many more celebrities have donated to the organization as well as given speeches.
The Oscars were a big hit with names like Ashely Judd, Salma Hayek (best known for “Grown Ups”), and Annabella Sciorra (in many shows and films like “Law and Order” and “ER”) coming to the stage and announcing that “the moment has come for new voices to be heard in the cinema.” All three women who accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, according to an article on Deadline. Other big names like Emma Watson showed up to the Oscars with a Time’s Up tattoo on her forearm to showcase how serious women are about this organization.
“For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak the truth to the power of those men. Their time is up… I want all the girls watching here, now, to know that a new day is on the horizon,” Oprah Winfrey said in a speech at the Golden Globes.
So far, $21,044,400 million has been donated by people all over the states. They are almost at their goal of $22 million, according to the Time’s Up Go Fund me account. These donations are from people in Hollywood as well as people all across the world.
Time’s Up is made up of many important figures, but there is no specific leader, or president known at the moment. As of now it is made up of several groups with in this movement that have different goals for battling sexual harassment.
These goals include a new legislation to penalize companies with persistent harassment claims, a push for gender equality at Hollywood Studios and agencies, and to help people who have been sexually harassed in the work place with their legal defense fund, according to an article on Fortune.
The movement first made its mark at the 2018 Golden Globes when celebrities from all over showed up in all black attire. “This is a moment of solidarity, not a fashion show” actor Eva Longoria told the New York Times. According to Elite Daily, the white roses at the golden globes represent the music industry and how they’re behind the movement as well.
Sexual harassment is extensive across industries, but is more common in low-wage jobs. More than 25 percent of sexual harassment charges filled with the EEOC (equal employment opportunity commission) in the last decade from industries with minimum wage workers.
“No more silence. No more waiting. No more tolerance for discrimination, harassment or abuse” Time’s Up stated on their website. Also on their website they mention ways on how to spot it, prevent it, and what you can do to help.
Time’s Up’s legal defense fund provides legal service to anyone that needs it. The fund is administrated by the National Women’s Law center, which is an established national women’s rights legal organization. This fund will help connect people who have experienced sexual harassment with attorneys who can provide legal aid.
So far Time’s Up has had 1,600 people reach out and ask for help. According to People the movement has over 600 attorneys who are helping those in need. People also states that some of these attorneys are doing these cases pro bono, while other are doing it at reduced rates. Each attorney who has joined has agreed to provide a free consultation.