Monica Lewinsky's Choice to Keep Her Name Despite Scandal and Bullying

Monica Lewinsky's Decision to Keep Her Name Amidst Public Scrutiny In 1998, amidst the fallout from the Bill Clinton scandal, many might have contemplated changing their identity to escape public judgment. During that period, media outlets often targeted Lewinsky with sexist and demeaning comments, ridiculing her appearance and character. In a 2023 interview with the New York Times, Lewinsky revealed that she attempted to rebuild her life in 2005 by relocating abroad and pursuing a master's degree in social psychology. Yet, the scandal's shadow followed her, complicating her efforts to find employment, despite submitting around fifty applications. In a 2019 appearance on "Last Week Tonight," Lewinsky explained her refusal to alter her name on her CV, asserting that she didn't want to deceive colleagues and believed her recognition was inevitable. She viewed the pressure to change her name as misogynistic, noting that Clinton was never asked to do the same. She also emphasized her pride in her identity, stating, "I'm not ashamed of who I am," and expressed gratitude for maintaining her last name despite the hardships. Advocating against bullying, Lewinsky initiated the #DefyTheName ...