South Brooklyn DSA

For years I couldn’t apply to other big jobs, fearful of being blackballed by this VP of HR at PayPal. I finally entered therapy 2 years ago-10 years later-to address the anxiety about working that incident created.

I started my own company so no one could hold my financial future over my head ever again. I literally couldn’t trust any other employer again.

Both men never touched me. Both were gay. Both nearly destroyed my professional life. Both hold positions of power in tech.

Sexual harassment is vile. As an assault survivor outside of work I know that. But let’s not forget how misogyny plays out in ways that don’t involve genitals.

A postscipt: after I left I got to tell some folks. my network quietly kept tabs on the disgusting worm that accused me. He was forced out a few months later. It is cold comfort.

Maybe this will encourage another woman to come forward. If nothing else I want everyone to know WHY I CARE SO MUCH about this subject. It’s deeply personal. It absolutely cost me possibly six figures in lost income.

Memory is a funny thing. I’ve long been proud of having produced a piece of marketing that was a top lead gen source for PayPal for seven years. While I was going through this story. They made millions on my work.

But it’s only just at this moment did I realize I did this work under this enormous strain. And why this man was so jealous of me. I never put the two together til just now. Now I feel even stronger. Thanks for your support, everyone.