Katelyn Campbell < via >
Social media has the potential to change the world for the better. At least, that’s how I see it. Some people don’t understand that yet but I hope they’ll see it one day.
Today, for example, a friend posted a link on Facebook to an article titled “High Schooler Protests ‘Slut-Shaming’ Abstinence Assembly Despite Alleged Threats From Her Principal.” It started an interesting conversation on Facebook. So I clicked on it and read the entire article.
I was in tears of joy pretty quickly.
A student named Katelyn Campbell stood up to officials in her school because of an assembly about abstinence that was factually inaccurate. Her principal threatened to call Wellesley College — which is where Campbell will start school in the fall — because she spoke out against the assembly.
Since then, representatives of Wellesley College tweeted a welcome to Campbell:
Katelyn Campbell, #Wellesley is excited to welcome you this fall. bit.ly/13jqRet
— Wellesley College (@Wellesley) April 17, 2013
Now nearly 900 people have signed a petition to show their support for Campbell and welcome her to Wellesley, saying that she’ll fit right in:
The Wellesley College community recently learned how you bravely stood up to your school principal to protest an abstinence-only assembly on campus. We’re sorry you were so harshly rebuked by school officials and other members of your community for exercising your right to free speech and advocating for women’s rights. We know this must be a challenging time, and we want you to know that your Wellesley Sisters stand with you.
Holy smokes. I absolutely love it! The entire story immediately gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. These folks get it. Kudos to all of you.
Katelyn, I’m proud of you. I don’t know you but I’m proud of you for standing up for what you believe in: a woman’s right to more accurate information to make well-educated life decisions. I’m proud of you for standing firm, even when your future was threatened by someone in a position of authority. I’m proud of you for speaking up when others might not have the courage to do that. You are awesome.
To the Wellesley College social media team and the folks that hired ’em: great job! After reading just that one tweet, I feel like y’all get it. Way to cheer on a woman who’s doing something daring and brave — before she’s even started classes at your college. Your tweet was succinct, strong, and wonderful. I’m totally impressed.
Kudos. And three cheers to all of ya. I’m a fan.