Sorority Raising Awareness, Money to Fight Sexual Violence

The sisters of Kappa Gamma Chi are dedicating this year’s Emerald Empowerment week to the theme “Because We Endure” and offering a slate of speakers and workshops intended to educate the Emerson community about interpersonal violence on and off campus.

The weeklong event will be held April 10–15 and is tied in with the campus-wide Communities United Against Violence Month program, organized by the Office of Violence Prevention and Response (VPR).

During the week, Kappa Gamma Chi is also encouraging people to donate to Casa Myrna and Transition House, two local organizations that support survivors of domestic abuse.

The week kicks off with Boston Area Rape Crisis Center’s annual Walk for Change on Sunday, April 10. Anyone interested in participating can sign up through the VPR website. Transportation will be provided from the Little Building to Artesani Park in Brighton at 9:30 am.

Also on Sunday, “The Guard of the Unknown Survivor,” an interactive art installation, will be on display outside of the dining hall from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.

Feminist activist Wagatwe Wanjuki, creator of the #SurvivorPrivilege hashtag, will be the keynote speaker on Monday, April 11, 7:00 pm, in the Paramount Center’s Bright Family Screening Room.

On Tuesday, April 12, a survivor of sexual assault will speak from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in the Little Building’s Beard Room, followed at 7:30 pm by a “Rethinking Representations” panel discussing media portrayals of sexual violence.

An art therapy workshop, “Weaving Resilience,” will be held Wednesday, April 13, 5:00–6:00 pm, also in the Beard Room, while a trauma-informed yoga workshop with Carmen Leah of Freedom Labor Love will take place from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Fitness Center.

Survivors of interpersonal violence can ask questions and get answers about legal resources at “#KnowYourRights” on Thursday, April 14, 5:00–6:00 pm, in the Beard Room.

Also on April 14, The Survivors’ Circus: Journey Through the Fog will be performed by the Survivor Theatre Project from 8:00 to 9:00 pm in the Bordy Theater at 216 Tremont Street.

The week will be capped off by the Emerald Empowerment Gala on Friday, April 15, featuring the HERsterical Comedy Showcase, food, and raffle baskets. Doors to the Bordy Theater open at 7:00 pm; admission is free.

Kappa Gamma Chi is Emerson’s oldest sorority and is “dedicated to the promotion of women’s advancement in society, personal growth, and community service,” according t