Monica Lewinsky, who started a powerful anti-bullying campaign last year, in November, has once again taken to social media to further a mental health cause. Drawing strength from the ordeal she faced 20 years ago after the nature of her relationship with former President Bill Clinton came to light, Monica Lewinsky tweeted:
for 20 years, i’ve marked 16 jan as the day i survived another year from 1998. on this 20th (!!!) anniversary, thinkin’ maybe we could try a survivor’s chain. whaddya think? (too corny?) RETWEET if you survived the unimaginable in your life
— Monica Lewinsky (@MonicaLewinsky) January 16, 2018
Recounting how she was humiliated after the revelation, Lewinsky wrote in Vanity Fair:
“In 1998, when news of my affair with Bill Clinton broke, I was arguably the most humiliated person in the world. Thanks to the Drudge Report, I was also possibly the first person whose global humiliation was driven by the Internet.”
At that time, Bill Clinton was also facing charges of sexual assault from Paula Jones, former state of Arkansas employee. Lewinsky was also interrogated (and possibly humiliated) by deputies for giving them information about her own relationship with Clinton.
Lewisnky’s tweet received numerous responses in terms of heart-warming experiences of ‘surviving the unimaginable’ and how they drew strength from these experiences:
I’m in my 7th year of surviving the unimaginable w/ a complicated surgery, drug induced coma, & soul testing recovery. I mark it on Feb 17th. Also, am on year 4 of surviving the death of my boyfriend marked on June 2. @MonicaLewinsky you’ve inspired me since middle school in 98!
— Stephanie Mickus (@smickable) January 16, 2018
Today marks a full month since my dad died from cancer. His last wish was to walk me down the aisle and on Dec 7th, he did just that. A week and two days after this pic was taken, he was gone. I miss him everyday, but I’m thankful he’s no longer in pain. pic.twitter.com/E2knk5402Z
— Danielle (@Tulipaloozi) January 16, 2018
Just celebrated my 2nd year anniversary of doing what was the hardest thing for me (leaving an abuser). Each day is a struggle and some days are terrible, but this thread of humans who have survived for longer than me gives me faith for the future.
— Nicole (@Cape_gurl) January 17, 2018
What would be a welcome anniversary gift? You deserve some tangible recognition of surviving the unthinkable and unprecedented. Your public life is a beacon that helps countless others find their way to safety, to recovery, to thriving, to leadership. Thanks to your parents, too.
— ruthannharnisch (@ruthannharnisch) January 16, 2018
Your strength is an inspiration -thank you for sticking around and working hard to change people’s minds
— c a i t l i n (@hello__caitlin) January 16, 2018
I had my life forever altered October 15, 1984, when my cancer was discovered. I try to celebrate my survival every day. Since then, I have had health issues. But, I am still alive.
— Debbi Rose (@PurpleVegasRose) January 16, 2018
My new book, “If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say,” is about a young woman who goes through a similar experience to you. Your survival inspired this story. You made me want to promote empathy for people whose lives are shattered in this way.
— Leila Sales (@LeilaSalesBooks) January 16, 2018
This is my 15th year of survival. I was shot in Columbus, Georgia shortly after I returned home from the war in Iraq in 2003. The bullet went into my back, collapsed a lung and eventually ended up in my left tricep.
— Andres Barba (@OneBadMan88) January 16, 2018
A year ago yesterday I lost one of my closest friends very suddenly. My husband and I found him. I’m likely the last person he spoke to. My last text to him was, “Hey, are you still alive?” The year got worse from there. But it got better. And I’m still here:)
— Di Golding (@SMCslipintoit) January 16, 2018
