On April 1, 2015, we launched our website. We published our first public statement. And without knowing it yet, we launched a cause that would ripple far beyond what we could see.
That was the day And Then She Spoke Up was born.
It happened just 24 hours after Inside Higher Ed published their story: a report exposing sexual harassment allegations inside Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. That article—released on March 31—was the first time the public heard our names and our truth. But the next day was the first time people heard it from us.
We weren’t ready. But we were done waiting.
The First Statement Was Quiet—but Clear
We started that post by thanking everyone who supported us: our college presidents at Western Technical College and Victoria College, our Phi Theta Kappa advisors, and every person who messaged us with encouragement, prayers, and solidarity.
We didn’t come out swinging. We came out grounded.
We said—clearly and carefully—that our goal wasn’t to destroy PTK. We loved what it stood for. We still believed in its values: scholarship, leadership, service, fellowship. That’s why we wanted accountability. That’s why we came forward. That’s why we asked for an investigation in private—months before anyone knew our names.
And that’s why, when PTK dismissed our claims as “false” without ever investigating, we realized we had no choice but to speak out.
They Called It Independent. It Wasn’t.
After the Inside Higher Ed article ran, Phi Theta Kappa claimed they’d launched an “independent investigation.” But the law firm they chose was already retained by PTK. That’s not independence. That’s a strategy. A script.
We said so in our first statement. And we asked the public—not to take sides—but to stand with us in calling for a truly independent, unbiased review, free from the influence and control of PTK leadership.
We weren’t angry. Not yet. We were focused. Determined. Hopeful.
We thought maybe the truth, said respectfully, would be enough.
That Statement Wasn’t Just a Post. It Was a Beginning.
It was the first page of a movement. The launch of our voice. The first time we pulled the curtain back—not to shame, but to reveal.
And more importantly, it was the moment we stopped asking for permission.
That statement set the tone for everything that would follow: the stories, the survivor network, the education campaign, the fight for independent investigations, the fight against NDAs, the stand against SLAPP suits, the call for survivor protections, and the growing demand for accountability not just inside PTK, but across higher education.
We’ve come a long way. But that day—that post—is where it started.
Want to Tell Your Story?
If you’ve been silenced by PTK—or by any institution like it—know this: we’ve been where you are. You don’t have to carry your truth alone.
➡️ https://www.andthenshespokeup.com/connect
This is where silence ends.
Read the Statement That Launched And Then She Spoke Up
We’re sharing it again today exactly as it was published on April 1, 2015—so you can see how we began. Quietly. Honestly. Fully in our truth.
Expressing Gratitude and Seeking Truth
First of all, we want to extend our sincerest thanks to everyone who has supported us throughout this unfortunate ordeal. Our administrations and presidents at Western Technical College and Victoria College have been enormously supportive, and we deeply appreciate that they took these allegations seriously and immediately investigated them.
We want to thank our advisors for their unparalleled support and guidance. The advisors of Phi Theta Kappa are truly unsung heroes. Additionally, thank you to those of you who have shared our story, offered kind words, and publicly or privately supported us.
We would like to reiterate one very important fact: our aim is not to attack Phi Theta Kappa, but to seek justice. We love the foundation on which this organization stands: scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship.
With that love in mind, one year ago we brought our concerns to a handful of Phi Theta Kappa staff, with a plea to keep our allegations confidential while an investigation was launched. We have taken great pains since that first request to do just that.
During this past year, our colleges and our advisors have joined us in this mission to privately advocate for a truly independent investigation into these allegations. Even with their support, we have been largely ignored by Phi Theta Kappa, up until the recent Inside Higher Education article. In it, Dr. Risley “called the allegations false,” claiming that “PTK is aware of [the allegations] and that the complaints made by Reeck and Marek have been dismissed.” By their own admission, our complaints were dismissed as false, without an investigation.
Today Kip Johnson, Board Chair, released a statement claiming to have “authorized a thorough and independent investigation;” however, the law firm selected to conduct the current investigation is one that is regularly retained by Phi Theta Kappa. This is not conducive to a truly independent investigation.
Please help us to advocate for a wholly independent investigation, conducted by a party that is without the affiliation, influence, or control of Phi Theta Kappa. Supporting this independent investigation will allow the organization to truly focus on its mission to “recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students.”
We are not asking you to take sides in this matter; all of Phi Theta Kappa benefits from an independent investigation to reveal the truth.
Again, thank you so very much for your support and words of encouragement. We wish we could thank you all individually, and we hope that this statement relays our utmost gratitude.