The 52-year-old Monica Lewinsky has been in the limelight for a large portion of her adult life, something she never requested. However, she has used that unwelcome attention into a potent platform for change throughout the years. Lewinsky, who was born in San Francisco and grew up in Los Angeles, first studied psychology before graduating from the London School of Economics with a master’s degree in social psychology. Her education would eventually influence her critical thinking on the subjects she now advocates for.

After years out of the spotlight, Lewinsky reappeared as an advocate rather than a star. Speaking candidly about humiliation culture, cyberbullying, and the psychological effects of public humiliation, she emerged as one of the first and most significant voices. Her widely shared TED Talk on shame brought attention to the human costs of cyberbullying and contributed to a change in the worldwide dialogue toward responsibility and compassion.

Lewinsky has also taken up writing and producing, making projects that examine history, media, and reality as well as penning pieces for reputable journals. Empathy and the value of learning from the past rather than using it as a weapon are themes that appear frequently in her work.

Monica Lewinsky is a living example of perseverance today. Her story demonstrates how someone may take back control of their story, overcome years of public scrutiny, and utilize adversity as motivation for significant activism. Her voice continues to serve as a reminder that even in the most trying situations, dignity and strength can be found.