Social activist, producer, public speaker and anti-bullying advocate will be recognized for her leadership in
advancing compassion, digital resilience and the fight against online cruelty.
Monica Lewinsky, photo by Greg Gorman
NEW YORK, N.Y., October 20, 2026 — The Tyler Clementi Foundation today announced that Monica Lewinsky will be honored at the 2027 Upstander Legacy Celebration, taking place Thursday, March 11, 2027, at 6:00 p.m. at City Vineyard by City Winery in New York City.
The Upstander Legacy Celebration is the Foundation’s signature annual fundraising event, recognizing leaders, advocates, artists and organizations who use their voices and platforms to stand up to bullying, harassment and humiliation. Proceeds support the Foundation’s work to prevent bullying and inspire people to move from bystanders to Upstanders.
Monica Lewinsky is a producer, social activist, global public speaker, a Contributing Editor to Vanity Fair and host of the podcast Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky. Her focus is on storytelling that moves the conversation forward around shame, reclaiming identities and justice for women. As an activist, Lewinsky advocates for a safer social media environment and addresses such topics as digital resilience, privacy and cultivating compassion online.
In 2017, for Bullying Prevention Month, Monica released an award-winning PSA in collaboration with the advertising firm BBDO New York. “In Real Life,” which asked people to rethink their online behavior in an offline social experiment, was Emmy nominated for “Outstanding Commercial.” Monica and BBDO collaborated again in 2018 and 2019 on award-winning campaigns, as well as working with Mischief in 2023 to create “Stand Up to Yourself” about “self-bullying.” In 2025, she partnered with Flamingo Estate on a candle collaboration from which all proceeds went to several anti-bullying organizations, including the Tyler Clementi Foundation. Monica executive produced on The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox and the documentary 15 Minutes of Shame, as well as producing on Ryan Murphy’s Impeachment: American Crime Story. Her 2015 TED Talk, “The Price of Shame,” has been viewed over 22 million times.
“Monica Lewinsky is a powerful example of what it means to be an Upstander,” said Jane Clementi, co-founder and CEO of the Tyler Clementi Foundation. “Through Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky, her public advocacy and her deep commitment to anti-bullying work, Monica has helped reshape the conversation around shame, online cruelty, compassion and resilience. She has turned her experience into a call for greater dignity and accountability, and we are deeply honored to recognize her at this year’s Upstander Legacy Celebration.”
Tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and additional honoree announcements for the 2027 Upstander Legacy Celebration will be available at www.tylerclementi.org/
About the Tyler Clementi Foundation: Founded in memory of Tyler Clementi, the Tyler Clementi Foundation is a national nonprofit organization and registered 501(c)(3) dedicated to ending online and offline bullying in schools, workplaces and faith communities and empowering people to become Upstanders.
Media Contact:
Steven Guy, Director of Mission and Outreach
Phone: (646) 598-8204
steven@tylerclementi.org
outreach@tylerclementi.org