This episode of The Unwanted Sorority unpacks the legacy of Betty Jean Owens and the first campus demonstration against sexual violence—an act of defiance too often erased from history. Dr. Leatra Tate shares her own story and how a class project, a dissertation, and the voices of Black women survivors helped shape this podcast. We explore the chilling realities of The Red Zone on college campuses and the healing wisdom of bell hooks’ Sisters of the Yam.
This is where truth-telling meets collective care.

Resources & Mentions
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) – 24/7 support at 800-656-HOPE
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Ujima- The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community
Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self-Recovery by bell hooks
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
AJC Article on the 1959 Betty Jean Owens Case
More information about The Red Zone

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In this short episode, I’m sending a love letter to you—yes, you—especially if the headlines this week feel like too much to hold. Whether you’ve been reeling from the verdict in the Diddy case or any other moment that reminds us how often survivors like Cassie Ventura are denied justice, I want you to know you are not alone.

This is your reminder: no news story can define your worth. Save this episode for when you need to be reminded you are worthy, you are whole, and you are never alone.
Take a few minutes to breathe with me and hear about a few resources you can lean on when your burden feels too heavy to carry alone.

Resources & Mentions:
me too. Survivor Sanctuary
me too. Healing Resource Library
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline – Call 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Therapy for Black Girls
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode of The Unwanted Sorority, Dr. Leatra Tate traces the powerful intersection of reproductive justice and the fight to end sexual violence—both rooted in the voices, bodies, and truths of Black women.

From the haunting legacy of the Mothers of Gynecology, to the groundbreaking bravery of the first survivors to testify before Congress, to the present-day grief surrounding Adriana Smith’s pregnancy, this episode holds space for the pain, the power, and the ongoing struggle for autonomy, dignity, and justice.

It is a tribute to those who spoke when it was dangerous to speak—and a call to continue telling the truth, even now.

Resources & Mentions

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) – 24/7 support at 800-656-HOPE
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self-Recovery by bell hooks
• Know My Name by Chanel Miller
• AJC Article on the 1959 Betty Jean Owens Case

Let’s Stay Connected

Share your reflections, tag us, and spread the word on all platforms: @theunwantedsorority

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.