Childhood and Education Journey of Monica Lewinsky in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Monica Lewinsky, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Monica Lewinsky is an American activist who gained international notoriety in the late 1990s due to her affair with then-U.S. President Bill Clinton while she was a White House intern (1995-1997). The Clinton-Lewinsky scandal became a major political event, leading to Clinton's impeachment trial. Since then, Lewinsky has become an activist, speaking out against cyberbullying and advocating for a more compassionate online environment.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

July 23, 1973: Monica Lewinsky's Birth

On July 23, 1973, Monica Samille Lewinsky was born. She would later become known as an American activist.

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1988: Parents Divorce

In 1988, Monica Lewinsky’s parents divorced and each has remarried.

1991: Graduation from Bel Air Prep

In 1991, Monica Lewinsky graduated from Bel Air Prep (later known as Pacific Hills School).

1993: Enrollment at Lewis & Clark College

In 1993, Monica Lewinsky enrolled at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

July 1995: White House Internship

In July 1995, Monica Lewinsky secured an unpaid summer White House internship in the office of White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta and moved to Washington, D.C.

1995: Graduation from Lewis & Clark College

In 1995, Monica Lewinsky graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

1996: Mother writes "gossip biography"

In 1996, Monica Lewinsky’s mother, Marcia Lewis, wrote a "gossip biography" titled The Private Lives of the Three Tenors.

The Private Lives of the Three Tenors: Behind the Scenes With Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras

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1998: Truth and Context Lost

In 1998, Monica Lewinsky recalls that truth and context were lost amidst a political film. Women were reduced to serve purposes for political points or to make money.

2004: Response to Clinton's Autobiography

In 2004, after Bill Clinton's autobiography, My Life, appeared, Monica Lewinsky gave an interview with the British tabloid Daily Mail.

My Life

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2005: Move to London

By 2005, Monica Lewinsky found that she could not escape the spotlight in the U.S., and she moved to London to study social psychology at the London School of Economics.

December 2006: Graduation with Master of Science Degree

In December 2006, Monica Lewinsky graduated with a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics. Her thesis was titled, "In Search of the Impartial Juror: An Exploration of the Third-Person Effect and Pre-Trial Publicity".

2006: Master's Degree from London School of Economics

In 2006, Monica Lewinsky obtained a master's degree in psychology from the London School of Economics.

2009: Correspondence with Ken Gormley

In 2009, Monica Lewinsky corresponded with scholar Ken Gormley, who was writing an in-depth study of the Clinton scandals, and admitted Clinton had lied under oath.

2013: Auction of Lewinsky Items

In 2013, the items associated with Monica Lewinsky that Andy Bleiler had turned over to Starr were put up for auction by Bleiler's ex-wife.

May 2014: Essay in Vanity Fair

In May 2014, Monica Lewinsky wrote an essay for Vanity Fair magazine titled "Shame and Survival", where she discussed her life and the scandal, maintaining that the relationship was mutual, though she regretted it. She became a Vanity Fair contributor.

October 2014: Public Stand Against Cyberbullying

In October 2014, Monica Lewinsky took a public stand against cyberbullying, calling herself "patient zero" of online harassment. She spoke at a Forbes magazine "30 Under 30" summit about her experiences and stated that she wanted to help other victims of the shame game survive. She was influenced by the suicide of Tyler Clementi and joined Twitter to further her efforts.

March 2015: TED Talk on Cyberbullying

In March 2015, Lewinsky continued to speak out publicly against cyberbullying, delivering a TED talk calling for a more compassionate Internet.

June 2015: Anti-Bullying Ambassador and Speech at Cannes Lions

In June 2015, Monica Lewinsky became an ambassador and strategic advisor for anti-bullying organization Bystander Revolution. The same month, she gave an anti-cyberbullying speech at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

September 2015: Interview on Good Morning America

In September 2015, Lewinsky was interviewed by Amy Robach on Good Morning America, about Bystander Revolution's Month of Action campaign for National Bullying Prevention Month.

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October 2017: Foreword to "Shame Nation"

In October 2017, Lewinsky wrote the foreword to Sue Scheff and Melissa Schorr's book, Shame Nation: The Global Epidemic of Online Hate.

Shame Nation: The Global Epidemic of Online Hate

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October 2017: Tweets #MeToo

In October 2017, Monica Lewinsky tweeted the #MeToo hashtag to indicate that she was a victim of sexual harassment or sexual assault, but did not provide details.

March 2018: Essay in Vanity Fair

In March 2018, Monica Lewinsky wrote an essay in the March 2018 issue of Vanity Fair in which she addressed her use of the #MeToo hashtag and reflected on her relationship with Bill Clinton, considering it an "abuse of power". She also revealed her diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder due to the aftermath of the scandal.

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