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By Olivia Callahan
Monday, Oct. 16 began the inaugural Green Dot Week on the Saint Leo University campus. The theme of the week was “Domestic Violence Awareness” and, appropriately, the first event of the week was the Mini Clothesline Project. This event was shaped after a popular project that has recurred in many different locations and on many different college campuses since it’s beginning.
In 1990 on a village green in Hyannis, Massachusetts, The Clothesline Project (CLP) was born. The project was displayed as part of the area’s annual “Take Back the Night” march and rally. According to The Clothesline Project website, “It is a vehicle for women affected by violence to express their emotions by decorating a shirt. They then hang the shirt on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem of violence against women.”
Saint Leo University’s Mini Clothesline Project took place on the SAB green and specifically showcased t-shirts decorated by survivors at Sunrise of Pasco. Green Dot Coordinator Aubrey Hall explained that, “we’ve also asked our supporters to also make their own supportive t-shirts to hang alongside, so that if students were to see it, they’d understand that the campus was supportive of them.”
In addition to the clothesline, Green Dot also provided an activity for students to further spread awareness. Each student had the opportunity to tie-dye a complimentary Green Dot t-shirt that could be worn around campus to promote Green Dot and spread the positive message of Green Dot Week.
Misiby Reittie, the Development and Volunteer Coordinator from Sunrise of Pasco, stood alongside the Green Dot staff to showcase Sunrise of Pasco.
“[Sunrise of Pasco] is a domestic violence and sexual violence prevention and intervention center that helps our survivors through counseling and support services,” explained Reittie. “We also provide training to community members and local organizations.”
Currently this organization has launched a campaign for the month of October called, “Paint Pasco Purple.” The title of this campaign includes the color purple because this is the color associated with Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The Mini Clothesline Project drew in a large crowd of both faculty and students and made for a successful start to Green Dot Week.
