They’re well known for blazing trails within our community, but two of our favorite women, Ava DuVernay and Tarana Burke, have also been honored as 2019 VH1 Trailblazers.
The VH1 Trailblazer Honors, which will air this year on International Women’s Day, pay tribute to the #MeToo founder and award-winning filmmaker, both steadfast activists, along with The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
For Burke, the first on our list of 2018 Root 100 honorees, it is the latest in a series of recent accolades, including recognition from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray at the city’s annual Black History Month Celebration last month. It is an acknowledgement well-deserved for Burke’s more than two decades of service working against sexual violence and systemic inequalities, particularly in relationship to black women and girls.
Speaking with The Glow Up about the VH1 Trailblazer Honors, which this year “celebrate today’s most respected politicians, entertainers, artists, activists, allies and icons who have dedicated their time and steadfast commitments to the women’s movement and beyond,” Burke said:
“I’m proud to represent the ‘Me Too.’ movement because I think this movement will blaze an uncharted trail in the work to end sexual violence. I’m honored that our work is being recognized in this way and I’m working to live up to the honor every day.”
The VH1 Trailblazer Honors will air as a one-hour special on International Women’s Day, Friday, March 8th at 9PM ET/PT, on VH1 and Logo.