Times Up CEO Tina Tchen resigned from her leadership position after the former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-New York) stepped down due to sexual harassment scandal. Times Up, a sexual harassment victims’ advocacy group, advised Cuomo after allegations of harassment surfaced about him.
In a statement she posted on her Twitter, Tchen claimed that she has “spent a career fighting for positive change for women.”
“Leading TIME’S UP has been a hugely rewarding experience and we have accomplished much together that has made work better for women across the country,” she said in her statement. “Change will come when we move those who run companies to enact policies to make things better for women and other workers, and when legislators enact laws to further gender equity and safety.”
“And, change happens when those of us on the outside keep holding them accountable when needed,” Tchen added.
In her statement, Tchen also acknowledged that she is “not the leader” who can help the organization move forward with women’s advocacy.
“Now is the time for TIME’S UP to evolve and move forward as there is so much more work to do for women. It is clear that I am not the leader who can accomplish that in this moment,” she said. “I am especially aware that my position at the helm of TIME’S UP has become a painful and divisive focal point, where those very women and other activists who should be working together to fight for change are instead battling each other in harmful ways.”
“Therefore, it is time for me to resign and continue to work for change in other ways, and to let TIME’S UP engage in the thoughtful and meaningful process I know will occur to move forward,” she added.
On Tuesday, Cuomo left his office in Albany. His successor, Kathy Hochul (D), was sworn in as governor on Tuesday, just hours after he left.
