I’m hesitant to do this because (a) I don’t really want to revisit this place in my life - I’m happy, healing (b) I don’t want to take away from those who have been harmed more than I have by BethAnn - particularly WOC. But, I do have my own BA, MTS story. (1/)

In the beginning, I was really scared to talk to anyone about what was happening to me. I thought silent was best. Even when urged by legal counsel to go public, I was initially hesitant. I ended-up becoming more comfortable with the idea - finding strength in my voice. (2/)

When I finally found the courage, I wanted to amplify my story. I wanted to be heard. I captured BethAnn’s attention. We spoke via Twitter. She was from my alma mater, Vanderbilt. She had a platform - one that could finally help me tell everyone what was going on. (3/)

I didn’t have many followers. I definitely didn’t have an academic following. Sharing my story mattered to me, but retaliation was happening. I needed the academic community to know I wasn’t a “crazy” graduate student that was “lying”. I needed a powerful ally and platform. (4/)

After months of preparing myself, I was ready to amplify my story. That’s what BethAnn and I talked about, amplifying/sharing. After my initial email, I got a response that (in part) I will share. I will say, the initial part of her response was empathetic and validating. (5/)

But, as I read I froze. She was asking me to “hold” critical aspects of my story. To not talk to anyone until it was agreed upon by her and others. The person whose business was sharing stories wasn’t sure I should share mine in full. I was scared. Was talking a mistake? (6/)

She was asking me to do something that she said she’d never asked anyone else to do. And, as we all know, the ethics of my situation were the foundation. While she said I could still share my story, without the ethical considerations my story didn’t make much sense. (7/)

As you may have guessed, I never heard from her on this subject again. There was some dialogue with others on this thread, but no decision was ever rendered. I was lucky enough to have other support that the lack of decision on the matter didn’t impact my decision to speak. (8/)

My privilege is that I never felt betrayed by BA/MTS because they were never my sole source of support. This is not true of others. I suppose I always felt some type of way about this exchange. Particularly because it was one of my first outside of my local community. (9/)

I had been traumatized by one “rockstar” in the survivor community. I was vulnerable to being quieted by another one. I’ve included the portion of her email I have referenced above. I’m so sorry to everyone who has been hurt by this person/organization. (10/10)