Bold Activist
Trailblazing Entrepreneur
Tenacious Risk Consultant
Empowering people and companies to build a
culture of respect.
Katie Koestner – First woman in history to speak out nationally as the victim of “date” rape. Cover of TIME magazine at age 18. Subject of movies on HBO and Lifetime. Outspoken activist and entrepreneur. Experience working with Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, professional sports teams, Academy Award winning filmmakers, and the top universities in the world.
250,000 – largest live audience on the Mall in Washington, DC. 11 – number of years in a row speaking to each class of incoming students at MIT, Amherst, and Williams. 983 – number of TV and media interviews to date. Over 10 million – number of people who have heard her speak on a stage. 0 – number of times she has given up on changing the world toward greater respect, grace, and understanding.
Artwork: Emma Flood
Katie Koestner – First woman in history to speak out nationally as the victim of “date” rape. Cover of TIME magazine at age 18. Subject of movies on HBO and Lifetime. Outspoken activist and entrepreneur. Experience working with Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, professional sports teams, Academy Award winning filmmakers, and the top universities in the world.
250,000 – largest live audience on the Mall in Washington, DC. 11 – number of years in a row speaking to each class of incoming students at MIT, Amherst, and Williams. 983 – number of TV and media interviews to date. Over 10 million – number of people who have heard her speak on a stage. 0 – number of times she has given up on changing the world toward greater respect, grace, and understanding.
Artwork: Emma Flood
Katie talks with survivors as they share their stories and delve into their healing journeys. From backlash, body image, and legal battles to addiction, PTSD, and mental health lows, nothing is left unsaid. Join this powerful conversation by subscribing.
Follow Dear Katie:
Katie Speaks: 18 years old. I am a Japanese – Chemistry double major at the College of William and Mary. Third weekend in. I go out to dinner with a guy I really like. He’s Prince Charming on his way to become a brain surgeon. The restaurant is French. Fancy. Crisp linen napkins in stunning white. Our banter is Olympic Ping-Pong of wit, finesse, and charm.
Arm in arm, we stroll back to 17th century campus bricks. Residence halls have emptied into fraternity parties. Two twin beds, glow-in-the-dark star constellations on the ceiling, and a tiny humming fridge. Pink, poly-threaded carpet. One window with a vanilla plastic shade.
Hours. Minutes. I learn what it is to be treated as less than human. An object. A thing of use to another. Less than a ghost. He leaves in his pin-striped, Italian-made suit. Shirt tucked in. Belt on. Tie in pocket.
When we have nothing less to lose except dignity, we find our greatest voice, speech, strength. So, I speak.
© 2023 KATIE KOESTNER
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