Students and faculty gathered with one common goal last Thursday evening: to honor survivors of sexual violence.
Colorful inspirational T-shirts hung on a clothesline, decorated by students who hoped to honor survivors. The clothesline is part of a national project to get people involved in stopping the violence toward women.
One shirt hung in remembrance of Johnia Hope Berry, a graduate of ETSU who was murdered in 2004.
The mood of the vigil was solemn and peaceful.
The event was sponsored by the Campus Advocates Against Sexual Violence, the Counseling Center, the Office of Housing & Residence Life, the Department of Public Safety, the Residence Hall Association, the Office of Student Life and Leadership, the Women’s Resource Center, and the Women’s Studies Program.
Students Against Violence is a club that formed last semester. Six students involved in the club stood in front of the line of shirts and presents poems written by survivors, ideas and reflections about how to make change, and mentioned the white ribbon campaign.
“This is the largest national campaign that has been ongoing since 1991, encouraging men to speak out,” Kim Bushore-Maki, said coordinator of outreach programs at the Counseling Center.
“Fifty-five countries participate in this campaign educating men and boys to never commit or condone sexual violence or remain silent about it,” said Bushore-Maki.
The hand-wall on the pavement was smothered in outlined hands, painted by supporters striving to stop sexual violence.
“This wall represents the power to solve problems with to hands rather than make them,” said Veronica Limeberry, president of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance.
“This wall is to encourage people to be active and to not hurt,” said Limeberry. “This is the first year that we have had the wall of hands.”
“I think it is important people take this seriously,” Abby Kietzman, a freshmen and member of the SAV committee, said. “People especially our age need to get involved.”
“It is important to create awareness.” Lacey Belote, a Kappa Delta, said.
The air was filled with the sound of “Two Hands” by Jack Johnson and Ben Harper, performed by Chelsea Kinser and Alex Robinson.
As the song continued, the flames made a trail through the 40 participants.
During the lighting of the candles the wind intimidated the flames, but the flames -like the group standing in unison – were resilient and stood strong.
“We are here honoring the resiliency of survivors, who continue to make to choice to heal to mend, and to grow, but never to forget,” Bushore-Maki said.

Author