About SOAR > Founder's Bio

On January 18, 1994, Kellie Greene's life changed forever. Returning from the laundry room in her apartment complex, Kellie walked into her apartment and an intruder smashed her on the head with a teakettle. Frantic, she began screaming, "Take my money! I have money!" as she fought back. After the struggle, as Kellie lay defenseless on the floor, the intruder raped her.

Once the initial shock of the attack wore off, Kellie began to question the purpose of her life. After several years of soul-searching, she founded Speaking Out About Rape, Inc. (SOAR) to help her pursue her goal of educating the world about rape and how it affects the life of a victim and his or her family and loved ones.

As Director of SOAR, Kellie has had the opportunity to talk about her rape, but more importantly, about her survival. She has made an impact on hundreds of thousands of university students, law enforcement officers and rape survivors. She has become a victims' rights activist, working tirelessly to influence policy and raise social awareness concerning issues of sexual violence.

Kellie has appeared on numerous television shows and news programs, including Today, The View, Oprah, 20/20, and 60 Minutes, and has been featured in national magazines such as Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Fitness in addition to being the subject of several local and national news stories. She has been a guest speaker at functions such as the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights and the FBI's 10th Annual CODIS Users Conference - Celebrating a Decade of DNA, as well as at many college and university campuses across the country.

Her policy work includes co-authoring the Florida Sexual Predator Prosecution Act of 2000, contributing to the development of a national protocol on sexual assault forensic exams for the Office on Violence Against Women, and participating in a White House Press Conference announcing the President's DNA Initiative.

Kellie joined actor Noah Wyle as a national spokesperson for the Pfizer/YWCA Moving Past Trauma PTSD Community Outreach Program in 2001 to 2003. The program's aim was to increase dialogue about PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) among the general public, educate front-line professionals about the condition, and encourage those who may be suffering to seek the help they need. Kellie and Noah were featured in broadcast Public Service Announcements and educational materials that encouraged people to recognize the signs and symptoms of PTSD and to see a healthcare professional if they thought they might be suffering from the condition. They also appeared at local community events at YWCAs across the country.

Kellie's numerous achievements include the Voices Against Violence Award (2004); recognition by the U.S. Department of Justice for Dedication to Victims' Rights (2002 & 2000); Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Citizen Cool (2001 finalist); The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence Survivor Activist Award (2000); Glamour Magazine's "Women At Their Best" (1999 regional finalist); Victim Services Coalition Award for Outstanding Personal Commitment for Victims' Rights (1997); and United Way "Success Story of the Year" (1995).

Kellie is an advisory board member of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), an advisory council member of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), and a member of the board of directors of the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV).