SWO Programs and Events

Brown Bag Lunches

Student Wellness & Outreach collaborates with other campus offices and community agencies to present brown bag lunches throughout the year. Students and faculty are welcome to attend, bring their lunch, and engage in these often-interactive presentations.

Topics are often chosen to coincide with a specific awareness month, and in the past have included safety on campus, dating violence and sexual assault prevention, nutrition and eating disorders, women’s history, diversity, child abuse and neglect, and sexual health.

Do you have a topic you would like to see a presentation on, or present yourself?

For more information, please contact the SWO office. For information on upcoming scheduled brown bags, see our Upcoming Events page.

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take back the nightTake Back the Night

Our Cause

Take Back the Night is an evening dedicated to raising awareness of violence against women and sexual assault, issues that affect all people, while creating a supportive environment for expression and empowerment.

Take Back the Night continues the effort to ending sexual assault and violence against both men and women on college campuses and around the world. The event increases community awareness about sexual assault, serves as a voice for men and women to speak out about their experiences, and empowers each of us to take action.

Reflections from TBTN 2009angela shelton

“This event changes my life year after year. Thank you to everyone who puts their time and effort into this and to all those who are strong enough to share their stories.”

“Take Back the Night gives people hope for the world, CARE, 1 in 4, and those who speak out offer a chance for survivors to reach peace and empowerment in their lives. Everyone involved, everyone attending THANK YOU. You are the change the world needs.”

“Take Back the Night is one of the greatest events that takes place at JMU. We are the vehicle for breaking the silence. CARE and 1 in 4 are amazing groups of people and I am so proud! Continue raising awareness and empowering survivors. We r here: 568-6411.”

“To the women: thank you for your strength and beauty. To the Men: Thank you for your support and courage to respect women. From a Fellow Man”

“Take Back the Night has changed my life...and continues to change it (for the better) every time I come. It's honestly the most moving and empowering event I have ever attended. Thank you for existing on our campus. We Are The Change We Wish To See In The World. (Thanks, Gandhi for your advice) from a primary survivor 3x over who knows what it means to fight back with compassion and love :-)"

Take Back the Night Benefit Concert

The Benefit Concert is an amazing night created to raise money for JMU’s Take Back the Night. Through the concert we hope to create a positive atmosphere and help build awareness for Take Back the Night while at the same time raising money.

The Benefit Concert will be held on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 in Grafton-Stovall Theatre. More details to come…

Take Back the Night

low keyTake Back the Night is filled with musical performers, speakers, a speak-out, and a march. Musical performances and dramatic readings set the tone for speakers who bring their own personal insights about various forms of violence.

A speak-out follows, which provides a supportive environment for those survivors and secondary survivors that choose to share their experiences. After the speak-out, the participants carry candles and march through campus breaking the silence and making their voices heard.

If you come out and support this cause, it will be something you will never forget. Take Back the Night helps people who have been hurt and people who want to learn how they can help others. We come together this night to show JMU students that they are part of this great family and great institution, and that we as a JMU community will stand beside them, support them, stand up for them, and listen to them.

sheltonWe come together for football games to give our team support, we go to parties to be around the amazing people that attend this school, we go to TDU, we walk through The Commons, but some of us are fighting a battle inside, and sometimes we are fighting that battle alone. Let’s stand up and rise against a battle that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men at this university are fighting. Let's fight it with them.

Take Back the Night will be held on March 23rd, 2010, on The Commons (rain location is Grafton-Stovall Theatre). More details will follow…

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The Paper Dolls Project

The paper dolls project is a visual display that represents the statistic that one in four college women have survived rape or attempted rape since the age of 14. Paper dolls are hung around the campus in residence and dining halls, student common spaces and bulletin boards, to remind us both that sexual assault is a problem that we will not tolerate, and that we can do something about it.

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The Clothesline Project

The Clothesline Project is a visual display that bears witness to violence against women and men. The Clothesline Project is composed of t-shirts decorated to represent various individual’s experiences with domestic violence, sexual assault or sexual victimization.

 

JMU students, faculty, staff, and local community members created all of the t-shirts on display. Please stop by to support those who continue to survive. Anyone interested in creating a shirt can do so during the event. The Clothesline Project is sponsored by the Office of Residence Life’s First Year Involvement.

The Clothesline Project will be on display March 24th and 25th, 2010. More details will follow…

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GET INVOLVED!

The Take Back the Night Coalition is a group of students who work to plan the Take Back the Night Benefit Concert & Take Back the Night. The Coalition meets weekly throughout the year, collaborating with CARE, 1 in 4, SWO, and FYI to make these events meaningful for JMU.

Meetings

Every Wednesday starting September 30, 2009
8pm - 9pm
Taylor 304

For more information on how you can get involved please contact Amanda Cramer at cramerab@jmu.edu.

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Through the Eyes of a Woman

Through the Eyes of a Woman is a program that celebrates the diversity of women and women’s contributions through the art of expression. An annual event sponsored by SWO and the Center for Multicultural Student Services, this is a night of song, dance, poetry, dramatic readings, and more that celebrates women’s history, experiences, and emotions.

The performances at Through the Eyes of a Woman are all by JMU students, or student organizations. Recruitment for student performers beings early in the spring semester, so watch for more details to come.

Through the Eyes of a Woman will be held on Tuesday, February 23rd at 7:00 in Grafton-Stovall Theatre.

For more information, please contact Megan Brill at brillmv@jmu.edu.

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Woman of Distinction Award

Each year, Student Wellness & Outreach awards three women the Woman of Distinction Award. One award is given to a JMU Faculty member, a JMU staff member, and a JMU student.

Who is a Woman of Distinction?

She is a woman who inspires us through her imagination, innovation and dedication; her exemplary talent and achievements; her strength of character and the sincerity with which she serves.

A woman who possesses a passion for the people and places making up her everyday life, who breathes life and energy into our community this is a Woman of Distinction!

Criteria:

  • Demonstrates excellence in the category selected.
  • Displays leadership: vision, innovation, creativity and/or the courage to take risks.
  • Provides inspiration and motivation to others.
  • Enriches and improves the quality of life of others.
  • Recognition as a positive role model through example, mentoring and/or educating.
  • Has shown a special commitment to support and empower other women.

How do I Nominate a Woman of Distinction?

To nominate a woman for this award, complete the attached nomination form and return it to Heather Driver at Student Wellness & Outreach, Warren Hall RM 404 or MSC 3535.

Download the nomination packet

Nominations will close on November 6, 2009

How are the Nominees Selected?

All applications will be reviewed by the Woman of Distinction Award Committee made up of faculty, staff and students. The award recipients will be honored during the annual Diversity Enhancement Awards and Woman of Distinction ceremony.

2009 Woman of Distinction Winners

Shari

Student winner, Ms. Shari Kornblatt, ‘09
Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Major
Early Childhood Education & Special Education Minors

Marilou

Staff winner, Dr. Mariolou Johnson
Associate Dean of the College of Visual & Performing Arts

Karen

Faculty Winner, Dr. Karen Ford
Associate Professor of Social Work

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