Ferrum College will host a Take Back the
Night rally on Thursday, October 12th at 7:00 p.m. starting in the
center of campus at the flagpole. The special evening will include
brief remarks and special displays of support, followed by the walk
around campus. The event is open to the public and community involvement
is encouraged.
The purpose of the Take Back the Night is
to bring together organizations, civic leaders, and individuals of
Ferrum College and Franklin County to protest violence against women
and to promote awareness of the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors
that perpetuate this specific type of violence.
Take Back the Night rallies have been held
throughout the United States since 1978. The first Take Back the Night
originated in Germany in 1973 in response to a series of sexual assaults,
rapes, and murders. Today, marches are held in numerous cities in
the United States, Canada, Latin America, India, and Europe.
Take Back the Night organizer and Ferrum Assistant
Professor of Social Work, Martha Haley-Bowling remarked, “Ferrum College
sponsors this event to draw awareness to an increasing problem in
our society and our community. The only way we can stop violence against
women, children and men is to educate others and teach more appropriate
coping skills. Violence is an issue that we must eradicate from our
society and that change begins with each of us.”
Ferrum College is a four-year, private, co-educational,
liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Ferrum offers a choice of nationally recognized bachelor’s degree
programs at a cost well below the national average for private colleges.
For more information on Ferrum, visit www.ferrum.edu.