Time’s Person of the Year, 2017

Dec 7, 2017 | 5:45 AM

The #MeToo movement, launched a decade ago, but gathering steam in the wake of assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein and others, became Time‘s Person of the Year, 2017.

Dubbed by Time as the “Silence Breakers,” the people behind the #MeToo movement have been credited with helping to create a cultural reckoning. The cover itself includes Ashley Judd, Taylor Swift and activist Tarana Burke, who launched the #MeToo hashtag 10 years ago.

  • Actress Alyssa Milano popularized the #MeToo hashtag with a Tweet on October 15th and tens of thousands of women in Hollywood and beyond began sharing their stories of assault and harassment. The hashtag has been shared millions of times on social media and has trended in at least 85 countries.
  • For the cover story, Time interviewed dozens of men and women who have experienced harassment, including actresses Rose McGowan and Milano, Swift, journalist Megyn Kelly and actor Terry Crews.
  • On Wednesday, Milano shared her delight with the honor on Twitter, writing a long thread, beginning: “In 2017 women stood up and said #MeToo. We overcame our fears to #BreakTheSilence. Technology and social media connected us all. We can’t turn away from each other’s pain. We are connected to it. We are connected to each other. We are connected.”
  • The magazine’s cover was unveiled, ironically, on the Today Show. Just over a week ago, NBC fired the Today Show‘s longtime host Matt Lauer over sexual harassment complaints.
  • Countless of other powerful figures in Hollywood and beyond have seen their careers destroyed or crippled by allegations, including: Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Charlie Rose, Brett Ratner, Louis C.K. and Ed Westwick.