In 2012, Emmy Award-winning director Tani Ikeda (open in new tab) founded Survivor Love Letter (open in new tab), a movement for sexual assault survivors and their compatriots to publicly celebrate their lives. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Marie Claire partnered with the organization to create a Survivor Love Letter from Tarana Burke, founder of the Me Too movement (opens in new tab), and Amanda Nguyen, founder of Rise (opens in new tab), with artist Brittany Harris ( Open in new tab), along with a special illustration of the girls created by artist Brittany Harris (open in new tab). Gwen's love letter to her younger self can be found below, and Burke's love letter to her survivor can be found here (opens in a new tab). The Survivor Love Letter invites you to write a message, whether you are a survivor or an ally, and share it using the hashtag #SurvivorLoveLetter. For more information (opens in new tab).

Dear Me

When I began this journey, I was outraged. The world was on fire. I was red hot, and I was going to change the system, hell or no, at any cost. If my first law, the Federal Survivors Bill of Rights (opens in new tab), could speak, it would scream of blood-curdling pain, betrayal, and sacrifice.31.32.33... I would like to think that now the bill will sing the chorus of justice . [It will take time. That time may not be in our lifetime. After all, we are ahead of our time, pushing the moral arc of the universe forward every day, putting safeguards of civil rights in place so that the rest of the world can catch up. In the meantime, in a world that has yet to get there, we can only choose to make peace for ourselves. This is a task more excruciatingly difficult than it sounds.

One thing that has helped me is the overview effect. When astronauts first go into space, they experience this effect. The awe-inspiring, terrifying perspective is reset, and they feel very small among the stars, but at the same time they feel very special because the odds of their existence are astronomically improbable. Most of us return to earth deeply moved to give back to the world.

Let's take a trip with me for a moment: everyone is an admired hero now, but in their time everyone was branded and stigmatized. At least this gives me comfort and peace that history is on our side.

Today I have asked you a difficult but vitally important question to answer. How do you want to define yourself?" and "What are the boundaries that are unshakable for you?"

These questions are a crucible in themselves. Most people go their entire lives without finding answers to these questions. You have the advantage (irony) of having to answer these questions, especially when deciding how public you want your story to be. You must answer these questions for yourself. My heart is with you. Because I know too well the struggles, existential crises, and bitter truths of the road ahead. You are not alone. I am still on this path and I am here for you.

We are many. I am the CEO. I am a survivor. I am a space nerd. I am a fashion enthusiast. Accepting that I will always be known for being raped, accepting that some people are stupid, accepting that I cannot control what label people put on me, and accepting that I know who I am and therefore do not let what others think of me determine my self identity is not determined by what others think of me, all of these things have helped. Of course, we are all human. Not being influenced by what others think of me is a level of enlightenment that I am constantly striving for.

For many of us, our very existence is a threat to the status quo. We are in a world that does not want us to exist. That's why we exist. And yes, there is no obligation to the survivor movement. In short, your joy and health are most important. Joy is the most radical form of rebellion. We are all stardust. You are already a star. You have already done enough. Your mere presence is enough.

When you are stressed, close your eyes wherever you are. Listen and the wind will sing to you. [It is the small, steady beat of thousands of footsteps for centuries to come. The choir is already singing.

Love, Amanda

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, RAINN (opens in new tab) - the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization - offers 24/7, confidential support. call 800-656-4673 or use this organization's online chat tool (opens in new tab) to speak with a trained staff member.