Carrying the weight that survivors bear.
On International Women’s Day (March 8, 2024), Summer Willis completed an extraordinary feat—becoming the first woman to run a full marathon while carrying a mattress on her back. This powerful visual metaphor represented the burden that survivors of sexual violence carry with them every day.
The Mattress Marathon was inspired by Emma Sulkowicz’s “Carry That Weight” performance art piece at Columbia University, where she carried her dorm mattress everywhere she went on campus to protest the university’s handling of her sexual assault case.
By taking this concept to the extreme physical challenge of a marathon, Summer created a visceral, undeniable image of survivor resilience while sparking crucial conversations about campus sexual assault, consent, and institutional responsibility.
Impact:
- Set a world record for completing a marathon while carrying a mattress
- Generated viral social media attention and press coverage
- Raised awareness about campus sexual assault
- Created partnerships with campus advocacy organizations
- Inspired campus policy discussions nationwide
