Women’s Rights Have Made A Difference by Benedictine University blogger Karly Sacco

We Can Do It

It is hard to believe how far we have come. All the battles we have fought to get to where we are. Women have always been looked at as the less dominate ones. It is unfortunate that the evolution took this long. But finally, women have the majority of the same rights that men do. It was not easy getting here, the journey has been a long and hard one but looking back women have truly shaped the way people treat them not only just in the work place, but also on college campuses. The role that women’s rights play is extremely important today to encourage, shape and educate young women in schools so that they can continue the growth of equality. 

When most people think of women’s rights they think of the important women in history, the events that have shaped what women stand for today, and women in the work place. But rarely people think of how women’s rights affect college life. It is not thought to be abnormal that men and women go to school together today and it shouldn’t be. On college campus’s women have the same, maybe even more active rolls than men. Their dominance in school life shows not to treat them differently just because they are girls. Women on college campuses are the ones truly living out the dream that history has made possible today.

Today women are stronger than ever. Just think if women in America did not come as far as they have today. What if Rosa Parks never stood her ground for women that are still living her message today? Or if Amelia Earhart never took the risks and adventures to show that women are just as strong as men. Over the years, there have been riots because of many intense topics but the one that continues to be changing over time is the fact that women are still making a difference in this world. Some men are still not too fond of this idea. But those men have to face the facts and realize that women are not going anywhere, and it is only up from here. Whether you are a male or female, beginning in elementary school the importance of women’s rights has been implanted in our brains so it has only been natural for society to shift its views on what women are capable of achieving. Although we have come a long way, there are other parts of the world that are still less fortunate than America. Women’s rights are still an everyday battle for a lot of women in struggling countries where men still see themselves as more powerful of the two sexes. Hopefully one day the whole world will see how important the impact women’s ideas and thoughts can have on society.

Solidarity in Breaking the Silence- by Bradley University blogger Ashley

It’s never an easy move to make the decision to share the truth of your assault with a friend or trusted loved one, and it’s even harder to share this truth with “strangers” in your college community. Unless you attend a very small institution, the likelihood of even 15% of the school population recognizing you is slim. Regardless of whether we personally know each other or not, we are now united as a family larger than our parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. Just because we don’t know each other doesn’t mean we can’t support each other, right?

Unfortunately, there tends to be an overwhelming sense of disbelief when word gets around that someone is “claiming” to have been assaulted. Instead of first worrying about the victim, many people jump to blaming the person— “Oh, well how can we be sure that really happened? You know people lie to get attention.” I understand why so many survivors remain silent.

Even when it seems like so many people are against you, or simply so nonchalant because you’re not their friend or family, there are still many people ready to support you the minute you break your silence. On campus, if the opportunities are not already present, there are other ways to share your experience with others.

•  At this year’s Vagina Monologues, some women walked up and stated that they were a survivor or supported survivors. This sparked conversations after the show that resulted in survivors feeling less alone and others joining the fight to end sexual assault.
• If you’re a writer, writing a poem and sharing it at an open mic night is another platform to share. People learn what paths you’ve walked and view you as an even stronger person for speaking in a room full of (mostly) unfamiliar faces. You also never know who’s in the crowd and really appreciates your strength to speak up when they cannot.
•  Bring a survivor to speak on campus and share your story after their presentation. It’s not super easy to bring speakers to campus, but with the support of other campus organizations, this is one of the best ways to get other survivors on campus to share their experience, as well as reach the larger campus community. Hearing how someone has moved forward in life after their experience can ignite courage in so many others to break the silence.
•  During weeks dedicated to sexual assault prevention and education, consider having a table in a central location on campus. Not only can you educate your fellow colleagues in an informal way, but you can also share your story with those who choose to stop by and listen.

These are just a few ways that survivors can at least feel more comfortable with sharing their experience with the campus community. No one’s expecting you to walk on stage a week later and yell to the world that you are a survivor; healing takes time. You will heal even more and grow stronger the day you share your story. Your story is important and should be heard. You are a survivor.