Ashley Judd to headline Sonoma County Women in Conversation forum

Ashley Judd joins two other prominent women who were instrumental in sparking the “Me Too” movement.|

Actress and political activist Ashley Judd will lead the lineup of speakers at this year’s Sonoma County Women in Conversation forum, scheduled for March 20 at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa.

The event, presented by The Press Democrat, will feature compelling stories from Judd, as well as Adama Iwu and Lindsay Meyer. All three were featured in TIME Magazine’s 2017 Person of the Year, which the magazine christened “The Silence Breakers,” recognizing the thousands of people who have come forward with moving stories of sexual harassment and assault.

Judd was among the first movie stars to go on record about Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s pattern of sexual harassment. Her experiences were chronicled in a blockbuster New York Times expose on Weinstein last October. Judd’s story, as well as that of others in Hollywood, helped spark the ongoing #Me Too movement.

Judd, a feminist and social justice advocate, is best known for both big budget and independent movies, including “Ruby In Paradise,” “Where the Heart Is,” and “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.” She serves as the global goodwill ambassador for UNFPA, the United Nations reproductive health and rights agency.

Meyer, founder and CEO of Batch, a San Francisco-based business that showcases home furnishings, electronics, beauty and food and beverage products, also shared her story of sexual harassment with the New York Times. She was later invited to appear on primetime television in an interview with Megyn Kelly, and her story has appeared in Glamour, Fortune, USA Today, and more.

Iwu is the director of government relations for VISA and co-founder of We Said Enough Foundation, whose mission is to eliminate bullying, harassment and assault of any form.

On Oct. 17, 2017, the Los Angeles Times published an open letter by Iwu, signed by more than 140 women, denouncing the pervasive culture of sexual harassment and assault in politics. Along with Judd, she was pictured on TIME’s cover for the year-end “Silence Breakers” issue.

The Sonoma County Women in Conversation event, launched in 2016, strives to create a stronger voice surrounding topics of interest for women of all ages and to build a community of women who can support and inspire each other and spark important conversations.

The March 20 event begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $55 and are on sale. To purchase tickets visit www.socowomenevents.com. All seats are reserved. For more information, contact Ginger Hopkins, event director 707-526-8604 or ginger.hopkins@pressdemocrat.com.

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