Street harassment has turned into a truth of our society, to an extent that it appears ‘typical’. We are angry, and baffled regarding what to do with this resentment. Meet Hannah Michelle, who’s diverting all her annoyance and vitality to show various records of heckling, victim accusing, eve teasing and harassment that ladies are exposed to, all the time.

Hannah Michelle is a 23-year-old artist, whose venture, ‘Cats Calling Back’ welcomes individuals to share their records of harassment. She illustrates these records through powerful illustrations, that are jolting and sufficiently enabling.
Let’s have a look-

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“the first time I was exposed to harassment on the street, I was 12 years old. I was walking in my home town on a busy street with some girlfriends of mine. we were walking to an ice cream shop. we were honked at, whistled at, and hollered at by not one, not two, not three, but four vehicles containing adult men. It’s about a 10 minute walk from my house. I haven’t walked to that ice cream spot since.” – @originalilly Send your stories to [email protected] or DM me! Thank you everyone for your support and for sharing your stories! • • • • #positivelife #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #girlgang #streetharassment #harassmentstories #notyourbaby #timesup #metoo #femaleempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #womenempowerment #catscallingback #notyourbaby #catcalling #catcallingisnotacompliment #ibelieveher

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“The summer after my freshman year in college, I had my first internship in LA. I took the bus to and from work every day. So far I had only had a few looks, but I had never been touched. One morning, I was sitting in a window seat and an older man came and sat next to me. Which was pretty normal since it was rush hour and the bus was filling up. He read his newspaper while I listened to music. All seemed normal. When my stop was coming up, I tapped him on the shoulder and told him, “This is my stop.” He nodded and smiled, but made no effort to move. As the bus started to come to a stop, I made my best effort to climb over him without touching. The old man took BOTH hands and cupped my butt. Once I got into the aisle, I looked at him in shock and then at everyone around me. People were looking, but didn’t say a word. I ran off the bus, worked all day, and cried when I got home and told my mom.” – @natalieeeeblair I’m trying to figure out the best way to present these stories. I know I definitely don’t want to draw the perpetrators or give them faces. My new take on it was to just draw the woman in a frame of some sort to center her and bring power to her, instead of presenting her as just scared. Let me know what you think. • • • • #positivelife #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #girlgang #empoweredwomen #womenempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #femaleempowerment #catcallingisnotacompliment #catcalling #catcallcollective #stopstreetharassment #harassmentstories #womenarestrong #feminist #feminism #sexualassault #mybodymyrules

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“About a year ago I was traveling home from NYC on the LIRR and I sat down by myself in a two seat! I looked up and accidentally made eye contact with a man (maybe early 30s?) who quickly rushed through the aisle to grab the seat next to me. There were PLENTY of empty seats around, so I definitely found this suspicious but I let it go. A few minutes later this man fell "asleep" but his right hand kept wandering onto my legs and getting increasingly closer to my vagina. I felt really embarrassed and extremely nervous, but I thought maybe he was asleep and really had no idea that his hand was in an extremely inappropriate place. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt…sometimes I feel as women we are SUPPOSED to give men the benefit of the doubt…but I kept convincing myself that what he was doing wasn't deliberate. I pushed his hand to the side and he didn't even budge. I stared to panic that maybe he wasn't really sleeping after all. A few minutes later his hand wandered in between my legs AGAIN and I started to panic. I didn't know what to do, he was a big guy and I didn't want to cause a scene. His hand was on my left thigh, then slowly kept moving until it was directly between my legs. My face was red and my blood was RUSHING!! I was really freaking out. I felt so vulnerable and stupid…I saw a man across from me giving me a strange look and I wish he would’ve said something. I pushed his hand away AGAIN and he didn't budge. I didn't get up to move my seat because I felt so scared and frozen? I was trying to process what had happened but I was just in shock. A few stops later the guy next to me got up and off the train…he didn't even look at me. I just keep remembering that moment we accidentally made eye contact and this scary smirk he had on his face. I was sexually assaulted on my way home from school and UGH I could scream thinking about it.” – Maria @thesugarmag • • • • #positivelife #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #girlgang #harassmentstories #streetharassment

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“i have lived in cambridge for a little over a year now, and i’ve luckily had very little experience with street harassment since I have lived here. however, when it does happen, it completely shakes up my mood and my day. i had been in town for two days last week when a construction worker said a few comments about my legs/my butt while i was walking to class. it was nearly ninety degrees out, and i was livid. every time i’m catcalled, i am even more angry than the last. last spring, it was the first warm day and I decided to wear shorts. according to a truck driver across the street, that was his invitation to yell “hot damn baby.” i was terrified to cross, so i b-lined in the opposite direction of my dorm.” – @brit.shipman • • • • #catcallingisnotacompliment #catcalling #femaleempowerment #womenempowerment #streetharassment #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #womanpower #catsagainstcatcalls #empoweredwomen #empowerwomen #done #stopstreetharassment #harassmentstories #womenwhodraw

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If you have a story of street harassment, catcalling, or anything related that you’d like to share, please send me a DM. I want to start collecting stories to illustrate and put out there to validate women, and spread awareness. You can choose to remain anonymous or not. Up to you. This one was a little hard to post for a lot of reasons. It feels personal, it feels scary, and I know women who have had it way worse than I have. But I want to give validity to all the women who have experienced street harassment or sexual assault, no matter how minor you may think it was. • • • • #positivelife #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #girlgang #streetharassment #catcallingisnotacompliment #femaleempowerment #womenempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #womenempowerwomen #sexualassault #feminist #feminism #catcallcollective #harassmentstories

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“I’ve had some horrible experiences in New York. Assaulted, etc. But lately I’ve been so disheartened by the harassment I’ve been getting while running. I’m training for the nyc marathon and literally can’t step out my door without being screamed at. I often run in shorts…because, uh, sweat? Heat? Comfort? And I am SCREAMED at. I’ve been literally called a whore for wearing a crew neck t shirt and running shorts. But mostly it’s catcalling. I love running so much but it’s become so scary in the city. Guys will jump in front of me and block my move, like shadowing me from the front so I can’t move past. They’ll like grab themselves. All that shit. Obviously it could be worse but I’m so frustrated bc running is my world and it’s been the best thing in my life, and it’s like not even safe anymore. I’m actually moving to Ct this weekend, and that was the biggest factor in my decision to do so.” – @k_shilling Send your stories to [email protected] or DM me. Also, I wrote an article about why I’m doing these drawings, and the link is in my bio!• • • • #positivelife #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #girlgang #streetharassment #harassmentstories #notyourbaby #timesup #metoo #femaleempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #womenempowerment #catscallingback #newyork #running #womenwhorun #runnersofinstagram #catcalling #catcallingisnotacompliment

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“The first catcalling experience that I distinctly remember was when I was about 12 or 13. I was leaving my grandparents house late afternoon after a day of swimming. I was dressed in casual shorts and a tank top. The house across the street was being built and was full of construction workers. As I walked out to the car to leave I began hearing whistles and smooching sounds. Boos and hollers as well. They made kissy noises and shouted “hey baby.” I, being the firecracker I am, flipped them off with both hands. I knew at that young age it was inappropriate and it made me mad. Who were they to degrade me like that. Side note: I am tall and was probably already 5’7 at that age, blonde, thin, with a dancer body. I thought “I’m sure they think I’m older than I am.” And then realized it didn’t matter my age. NO WOMEN OF ANY AGE DESERVES TO BE TREATED THAT WAY!” – @feather.rae Send your stories to [email protected] • • • • #positivelife #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #girlgang #streetharassment #harassmentstories #notyourbaby #timesup #metoo #femaleempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #womenempowerment

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“I was at Harlem 125th trying to take a new route uptown. It was crowded. I was wearing skinny jeans and heels. And I felt stares. I saw about three different guys looking at me. I kept telling myself I was being dramatic. But as I got on the train, and we were all being squeezed in, someone reached out and pinched my butt. I turned around and all three guys were behind me. And I was stuck next to them on the train. After a few minutes of people continuing to try and squeeze their way onto the train, I had a panic attack, and fought my way off the train. Once I went above ground and was safely in an Uber, my first thought was “it’s your fault for wearing those skinny jeans and heels.” – @mccakes6 Send your stories to [email protected] or DM me. And be sure to check out the article I wrote about these drawings! Link in my bio. ❤️ • • • • #positivelife #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #girlgang #streetharassment #harassmentstories #notyourbaby #timesup #metoo #femaleempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #womenempowerment #catscallingback

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“It happened in the New York Public Library. I glanced up from my computer and made eye contact with the man sitting across from me. He took this as an invitation to hit on me. He told me I was beautiful and asked me for my instagram. I lied and said I didn’t have one. He asked me if he could get my number so we could hang out. “Sorry, I have a boyfriend.” I told him, returning to my computer. The next time I looked up I saw the man staring at me while he masturbated. I got up as fast as I could and told the nearest librarian but by the time he called security the man had left. “Are you okay?” The guard asked me, taking notice of the tears that were starting to form. “I’m fine, just embarrassed.” I told him. I didn’t go back to the library for the rest of the summer after that.” – @rliebs7 • • • • #positivelife #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #girlgang #streetharassment #harassmentstories #notyourbaby #timesup #metoo #femaleempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #womenempowerment

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“Hey beautiful, how you doin’?” A gruff voice calls out from behind me, throwing my private contemplations into a tailspin as my insides freeze. Is he talking to me? I walk a little faster. He continues to chatter at me but I ignore the words as I focus on breathing. In. Out. In. For God’s sake, it’s the middle of the day! I am walking into Target. In sweatpants. Can a girl get anything done in peace? My mind races over all the times I’ve been cat called lately; instead of making me feel flattered, beautiful, and valuable, like some might argue to justify this man’s behavior, I want nothing more than to zip my jacket up all the way and pull the hood over my face. I want to melt into the pavement’s potholes. I want to evaporate with the heat waves shimmying off the asphalt. But instead, I breathe out. And don’t look back.” – anonymous • • • • #positivelife #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #girlgang #streetharassment #harassmentstories #notyourbaby #timesup #metoo #femaleempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #womenempowerment #catsagainstcatcalls #catcalling #catcallingisnotacompliment

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“This is the first time I fully experienced and was affected by catcalling. I was nine, with my twelve year old sister and my mother. We were walking down the streets of San Diego in the summer (so us children were wearing shorts). Out of nowhere a truck full of men started screaming at the three of us “oooh I like chocolate! Look at you walking down the street” and making kissing noises. To a mother and her two children. My mom couldnt do anything without putting us in danger. So she just told us to ignore it.” – @shannon_corenthin Send your stories to [email protected] or DM me. • • • • #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #girlgang #streetharassment #harassmentstories #notyourbaby #timesup #metoo #femaleempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #womenempowerment #catscallingback #catcallingisnotacompliment #intersectionalfeminism #feminist #feminism

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“So I was hosting at the restaurant I work at and this man was sitting at the end of the bar being an entitled drunk jerk and just overall disrespectful to the people behind the bar. I didn’t think much of it until he kept staring over at me. I tried to put my head down and do my work but I told the manager to keep an eye out. My manager stayed up at the front with me until he needed to tend to something in the back. Of course the minute my manager stepped away, i get cat called from this other guy walking down the street. I held my tongue for fear of losing my job for yelling ass hole down the street. I go back to my work and the jerk at the bar is trying to take pictures of my ass. It was just a perfect storm of shame And pure anger as I tried to keep my composure. But all I wanted to do was scream. The thing that got me was that when I was so upset my male coworkers were kind of just brushing it off until they saw how I was boiling inside.” – anonymous Send your stories to [email protected] or DM me. • • • • #ipadproart #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #sketchbook #womenwhodraw #procreate #procreateart #womenofillustration #creativelife #creative #girlssupportinggirls #girlpower #girlgang #streetharassment #harassmentstories #notyourbaby #timesup #metoo #femaleempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #womenempowerment #feminism #feminist #catscallingback

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A word, after a word, after a word is power. It’s true. And Hannah’s project is commendable as it ventures to undo the normalization of cat calling and victim blaming.