Longest Ride to the Second Floor, Ever.

This morning I got on an elevator with a female colleague on our way to a meeting. A man joined us and as the door closed said "You have beautiful eyes" in a very dirty voice. I said a muffled "thank you", avoiding eye contact. He then had time to say "you're pretty and "I want to talk to you" all in a very disturbing voice. He even said hello to my collegaue, and asked her to tell "her friend" that she had beautiful eyes.

I was only going to the 2nd floor but it felt like the 20th. After my colleague and I got off, I was utterly perturbed. I felt like he had violated me. Looking back, this would have been a perfect time to "hollaback"- I had my cellphone camera easily accessible in my pocket, and a good 30 seconds of captivity with him to get a good shot. But I was so mortified I didnt think of it- I wasn't thinking at all. All I could do was stare ahead at the door, waiting for my floor, hoping he would stop. On one hand I am glad I wasn't alone with him- god only knows what could have happened. On the other hand, it was embarrassing to be treated like that in front of a colleague, without defending myself or speaking out against what was happening to me. I fret that I may have lost her respect- or more, that he took my dignity from me in front of her.

I hope next time I will find the strength and the power to take action. To speak up and to hollaback.

Submitted by Kate

The Subway Ads are Great, but they only go so far

This horrific story reminds us that without a trained and sensitive staff at the MTA, those beautiful subway ads that we worked so hard to get up are useless. The Subway Safety Coalition, of which HollabackNYC is a part of, will be drafting letters to the heads of the MTA, the transporation committees in the New York State Senate and Assembly, as well as to the Public Safety Committee in the City Council.

To do your part, send a letter to the editor of the Daily News at voicers@edit.nydailynews.com. Remember to include your full name, address and phone number.

SUV = Super Ugly Vultures

The driver called "Hey Sexy" and then pulled over in his SUV. He smiled for me when I asked if I could take his picture.

Submitted by Elizabeth

HollabackNYC's Crush #6

Scott Stringer. Not only did he just testify about this, he was also the brain behind the first ever survey of subway safety.

Rumor has it the Subway Ads are Up!

Have you seen this?
We are collecting stories from women about whether or not these subway ads are effective. Have a story? A thought? Send it to us!

Take the Street Harassment Survey!

One of the problems with street harassment is that it has been so rarely researched and written about. I recently had brunch with Holly Kearl, who is currently writing a book about street harassment. Rock on girl.

Help her out by completing this quick online survey about street harassment:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=2zNzxBfuyVVLMKcoXoEtjQ_3d_3d

The more folks who take it, the more accurate it is, the more that changes in the world. Hollaback survey-style!

HollabackNYC wins an Award!

Hope you can join us to celebrate three great years.