Sisters 4 Change

There are many things that inspired me to be involved with being committed to ending sexual violence. My personal experience with sexual assault and my journey from victim to survivor has had a tremendous impact on my life. I realized that God will never give you more than you can handle and that everything happens for a reason. All of my AXO sisters, friends, family members, counselors, and professors that helped me get to where I am today inspire me to continue to make a difference. More inspiring than anything, however, was seeing Kelly and Becca's "Let's Talk About "it"" at the beginning of my journey. They are part of the reason I immediately got help and part of the reason I was able to find my own voice. After hearing Kelly and her amazing friend and sister Becca, I knew that I could get through the worst experience of my life and eventually work to help others and prevent others from experiencing what I did. I am eternally grateful to Kelly and Becca (and all those who helped me) and only hope I can, someday, have had as huge and positive an impact as they have had on me.

I believe that I empower others to make change by leading by example and leading with passion. As a passionate leader, I have never forgotten my time at the University of Tampa and the book The Leadership Challenge. In trying to empower others, I remember to model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, allow others to act, and encourage the heart. Those five concepts have truly become a huge part of my leadership philosophy and my passionate approach to motivate others to want to make an impact against sexual violence.

Knowing how prevalent sexual assault is keeps me motivated. 1 in 4 college women will be sexually assaulted and I feel as though it is my responsibility to fight to lower that statistic. As a college student, I see just how much of a problem sexual assault is on campus and how important sexual assault/domestic violence education truly is. As a survivor, I remember the feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and fear. I remember the nightmares and flashbacks, panic attacks and tears. Sexual assault is not something that people like to talk about but it is something that must be talked about. After seeing how meaningful it is when you were there for someone on their road from victim to survivor and having my story impact others, I cannot help but stay motivated.

I am incredibly busy but try not to forget about myself. On top of school and SHARPP, I have Alpha Chi and I work as an LNA. Since I'm a relatively highly-stressed, type-A person, I remember to breathe, go for a walk, and get an occasional massage. Music is also one of my passions so listening to my iPod, going to concerts, and singing my lungs out (alone in the car of course) all help me relax and center myself.

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.
– The Serenity Prayer

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
– Mahatma Ghandi

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
– Dr. Seuss

I cannot imagine doing anything but entering the medical field as a Physician's Assistant. However, I would like to continue working as a sexual assault advocate upon graduation. Whether that be through actual advocacy, an educational campaign, fighting for legislation, public speaking, etc we will just have to see what opportunities present themselves during my year off from school!

My name is Liz Dodd and I am currently a senior at the University of New Hampshire (Class of 2010). I am a psychology major and am getting my minor in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Studies. Upon graduation, I am taking a year off before attending Physician's Assistant school as I would like to work in obstetrics or neonatology while still being able to have a big family.

I joined Alpha Chi Omega my freshman year at the University of Tampa and I am lucky enough to have become a member at the UNH chapter upon transferring. I have held several leadership positions within both chapters and served as Panhellenic President from November 2008 – June 2009. One of the things I am most proud of is my affiliation with the Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program at UNH. As a SHARPP advocate, I volunteer to take the pager and to answer calls that come in on the crisis line regarding sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking. Talking to callers, meeting them at the hospital, evaluating safety, and/or helping them figure out a plan that is best for them is all part of advocacy. Next semester I am hoping to be a peer educator as well to mainly focus on educating and getting Greek Life more involved in fighting sexual assault on campus (Potential GASA chapter?!?).

Contact me at esb27@unh.edu or via Facebook message.

Growing up, I was taught that we should help others as much as we can because if we are fortunate enough to have everything we need, we should help others who are facing tougher times. GASA was something I kind of fell into. It started out as an internship project at UC Davis and spiraled into a national organization.

I let them know that they do not have to do everything. Making one phone call, or sending one email can make a huge impact. I try and remind people that all the little things really do add up.

Seeing the positive impact I can have on others is great. Knowing that an organization I created has helped people nationally keeps me working each day.

I spend time with my family and friends. They are the best people to bounce ideas off of and the most amazing support system. I am so lucky to have such great people in my life that help keep everything in perspective.

“Just one idea, one person, one book, and everything can change.”
(I’m not sure who said this, it was on one of my tear away calendars one day!)

I would be a high school English teacher. I’m in the process of getting my Masters in Education and Single Subject teaching credential in English so hopefully soon teaching English will also be something I do!

kingsley@gasanow.org

www.gasanow.org

When I was younger, I was a victim of a sexual assault. I know first hand how it feels to be left behind and taken advantage of, and I do not wish that upon any human being. After I was assaulted, I was consumed with feelings of abandonment, guilt, and helpless. If it were not for my family, my faith, and the support of my closest friends, I do not think I would be as strong as I am today. The events on March 3rd, 2007 only solidify my utter disgust for individuals who feed upon the vulnerability of others. My inspiration to unite with others towards change comes from the fact that sexual assault happens, and it happens more frequently than people would like to acknowledge. To leave someone in a situation where they feel abandoned and helpless is a complete disregard towards his/her well being. I feel that actions speak louder than words, and when the opportunity presents itself to help someone during his/her time in need, we should always step in to offer support. I was raised to always stand up for what I believe in, and portray myself as a woman of character. And I feel that everybody has that opportunity, even if the person you are helping is a complete stranger. That stranger could be someone’s friend, daughter, girlfriend, coworker, teammate, classmate…the list goes on. I would not be able to sleep at night if I knew that I walked away from a situation where I could have been the bigger person, and helped them in their time of need.

Like I mentioned earlier, I believe that actions speak louder than words. I feel that my friends and I inspire others to evoke change by speaking about the events on March 3rd, and our own past experiences. Everyone knows somebody that has been in an uncomfortable situation or has seen a heinous act against another human being first hand. Showing others, especially young adults, that they could make a difference and help someone in their time of need helps promote change. The No Woman Left Behind attitude can be apart of anybody’s life, regardless of their gender, sexuality, etc; it is about being people of character who want to make a positive outcome for society.

Just being a college student with friends is enough to keep me motivated to continue speaking out against sexual assault. Sexual assault is a constant battle on college campuses. I have been to parties since March 3rd, and have seen just how easy it is to take advantage of a vulnerable human being. I have been approached by many individuals who have said that our story has inspired them to be that one person in the crowd to do the right thing. I have heard stories from survivors all around college campuses that have been an inspiration for me to continue speaking on behalf of No Woman Left Behind. I think the message it portrays is simple but can impact people’s lives immensely. The amazing faculty and student staff who all work tenaciously towards ending sexual assault help motivate my efforts in this battle.

Quite honestly, I am a student who also works part time for a home improvement company. When I have time to relax, I like to stay at home with my three roommates and our new addition, our boxer puppy. Although my soccer career is over, I enjoy running with our dog and reading a good book. My new favorite past time thanks to my two male roommates is playing Halo on Xbox Live. I have become quite the slayer, if you know what I mean. I also like to watch football and hockey. My favorite teams are Green Bay and the Sharks, although I like to watch Brett Favre do damage in purple. Like any other college student, I do enjoy going out with my closest friends to parties and dive bars to dance and socialize with my friend. Napping also is a huge part of my down time, and I advise everyone to get a good snooze if they have the chance!

A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.
Eleanor Roosevelt

The future depends on what we do in the present.
— Mahatma Gandhi

I am a pre-nursing student at San Jose State University and there is nothing I would rather be than a nurse at a hospital someday. I have had my share of frightening encounters, and have found that in moments of chaos, I remain calm and collected. I love the spontaneity that nursing offers, as well as the numerous opportunities to help people who desperately need it. I am always the girl running towards the scene of an accident rather than standing off to the side of one. I feel that nursing really is my calling, and I will continue working hard to accomplish my dream. Although the road through nursing school is an arduous undertaking, I hope I will graduate with the tools needed to succeed in such a strenuous field.

I became interested in this field after spending one and a half years in Bosnia working with women who were trafficked for sexual exploitation.

By example.

As a law enforcement officer for 31 years, I have come to the conclusion that "The only thing you can take to the grave is your good name." I do not know if this is a quote from someone but it is something I say often.

What iPod?

I am a Survivor of Sexual Assault. Through my work and outreach to college students I have had the privilege of having woman share their personal stories with me. It is these women and their stories that inspire me to keep bringing awareness and change. We are not alone! We are all in this Together!

I believe the one way to empower others is to simply believe in them! Believing in someone is a simple gift that can bring so much change. Give them the resources and knowledge that they can walk away with to gain self empowerment!

My experience has allowed me to see violence from many different perspectives giving me the motivation and dedication to continue to bring sexual violence awareness to our schools. When I receive good news about the field or get the chance to work on a new project it gives my inner drive a boost of energy to keep me working to end Sexual Violence.

I love to run! It is the one place where it is just me and the road, I feel like I can take on the world! Along with yoga and spin class, physical fitness refreshes me and means less stress. But most of all anytime I can sneak away to the beach, the beach gives me clarity and a peace of mind.

“Everything happens for a reason. Every action has a reaction. Always remember that what’s meant to be will always find a way to come about.“

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
— Friedrich Nietzsche

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...“
— Dr. Seuss

When I was younger, I remember telling my mom I wish money wasn’t an issue so I could volunteer my time to help children all over the world.

• www.nowamanleftbehindcampaign.com
• www.weaveinc.org
• www.unitedforchange.com
• www.kellyandbecca.com
• www.kellyandbecca.blogspot.com

I am a dedicated, hard-working, young professional and anti-violence activist. I have had the privilege of providing direct services to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence as well as promoting education and resources to the collegiate population to bring awareness and help end violence. I am a Passionate Organizer of the No Woman Left Behind Campaign. Through the local crisis intervention agency I have had the chance to experience working in the safehouse with domestic violence survivors. I am a Sexual Assault Response Team Advocate, allowing me to be with sexual assault survivors first hand during their medical experience. Unite for Change has allowed me to see violence on a national level while outreaching to college programs and fellow activists. At times this field can be tough to work in but it is my fellow activists and all the amazing and strong survivors that keep me encouraged! Change is happening and change will happen!

Determined to Make a Difference!!!

Sabrina@kellyandbecca.com

The recognition that women’s liberation is possibly the most important revolution to ever occur on the planet. I knew from a very young age that I was being discriminated against on the basis of gender. It was not OK with me.

Also, my parents were children of the Great Depression and always felt it was there duty and joy in life to help people, since they were helped by the social vision of the Roosevelt administration. They were also from a strong Norwegian community in North Dakota which was a strong blend of capitalistic socialism. They weren’t against making money, they were merely against wealth for wealth’s sake. They were very community-minded and raised me to be that way too.

I recommend that they read my book, “Beauty Bites Beast”. This is not shameful self-promotion. I believe that I nail one of the most important factors to women’s empowerment: the right to self-defense. Rather than a how-to book, it’s a how-come book which explores in an entertaining, easy-to-read way, the elements of patriarchy which promote women and girls’ physical and security dependency.

I have a community of people, starting with my extremely supportive life-partner and husband, Ken Gruberman. I also participate with the Landmark Education community which provides an education on an on-going basis which values making a difference as a life-sustaining practice. Basically, if one is not making a difference, it’s hard to feel fulfilled as a human being.

I watch Science Fiction TV with my husband, Ken, who is appalled at how behind I am in popular culture. We go to the leash free park for doggies. We go to movies and plays.

Women’s dearest possession is life,
And since it is given to her but once
She must live as to feel no torturing regret
For years without purpose,
So live as not to be scarred with the shame of
A cowardly and trivial past
So live that dying she can say:
All my life and all my strength
Was given to the finest cause in the world
The liberation of womankind.

Alice Paul, 1885-1977
American Suffrage Leader
Author of the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923

I guess I’d suck it up and run for office, although I’m way too wild and opinionated for most people. LOL.

Ellen Snortland has her Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles and is an inactive member of the California Bar. She is a writing and first-time author coach. Her work as an author, self-defense advocate and instructor has been featured on Dateline NBC with her book, “Beauty Bites Beast.” Ms. Snortland believes that “Think Globally, Act Locally,” is vital for women and girls. Females of all species know how to protect themselves and it’s a birthright for human females too. She says, “There’s nothing more local than one’s own body.” A regular columnist for the Pasadena Weekly, and a Huffington Post blogger, she’s a tireless advocate for women and girls and physical safety for all. She is a Goodwill Ambassador for the National Women's History Project. Her acclaimed one woman show, “Now That She’s Gone” is a comic memoir about growing up Norwegian American in Colorado and South Dakota. Snortland has attended United Nations world conferences and annual UN meetings as an NGO delegate, and journalist. She is currently focused on having “Now That She’s Gone” produced in a regular theater venue and touring it, as well as raising funds for and directing, “Beauty Bites Beast,” a documentary based on her self-defense advocacy. She is currently active with 50-50 Leadership, a non-profit that envisions more women and girls in leadership positions.

Ellensnortland@mac.com

www.snortland.com

I hope we can all experience less danger, more pleasure, and lots more freedom and fun!

I write, teach, talk and connect. I think we all make the world a little better every time we share honestly with each other. In some small way, I hope the work I do helps make a positive difference in other people's lives.

The wonderful people I meet along the way. Their enthusiasm, humor, insight, and feedback sustains me.

I crank up the music and take my dog running through the park near my house.

I have three current faves:

We can bomb the world to pieces but we can't bomb it into peace. — Michael Franti

In art and dream may you proceed with abandon.
In life may you proceed with balance and stealth. — Patti Smith

... I will love you for reasons still unknown to me ... — Andrew M. Lopas aka A. Razor

There's nothing I'd rather be doing. I love doing what I do. I'm fortunate.

Website: http://shiratarrant.com

Contact: Shira_Tarrant@yahoo.com (feel free to contact me)

Shira Tarrant is an expert in gender politics, feminism, pop culture, and masculinity. She is the author of Men and Feminism (Seal Press), When Sex Became Gender (Routledge) and editor of the provocative anthology Men Speak Out: Views on Gender, Sex and Power (Routledge). Her co-edited anthology, Fashion Talks: Undressing the Power of Style, will be out in 2011 (SUNY Press). She is currently at work on the book Pop Culture Propaganda and the anthology, Pleasure and Peril: Questions About Sex in the Bed and Beyond.

Shira Tarrant's work has appeared in various publications including Bitch Magazine, Ms. Magazine, off our backs, Women's Studies Quarterly, Genre magazine, Huffington Post, and The Women's Movement Today: An Encyclopedia of Third-Wave Feminism. She is a frequent invited speaker at college campuses and other public venues, and is quoted widely in print, television, radio and online media.

Shira Tarrant has a PhD in political science from UCLA and teaches in the Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at California State University, Long Beach.

The murder of my Alpha Phi sorority sister, Shannon McNamara.

I founded Girls Fight Back, a women’s safety education company.

Success stories from young women who have seen our presentations, and used they what they learned to save their life.

Daily exercise and meditation.

“If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”
– Mother Theresa

Own a yoga studio.

Erin Weed is a professional speaker, author, self-defense expert and Founder/CEO of Fight Back Productions. Her calling to the field of violence prevention and self-defense began in 2001 as a direct response to the murder of her friend and sorority sister, Shannon McNamara. After Shannon’s death, Erin abandoned her career in TV production to study with the best anti-violence activists, personal safety specialists and self-defense experts in the world. In January 2002, she began traveling the nation giving keynotes and seminars in schools and businesses. To date, she has spoken to half a million people with her uplifting and empowering message of staying safe from violence and finding peace in the process. As a trained speaker, Erin uses comedy as an effective way to connect with audiences of all demographics. As a devout yogi, she does not practice anti-violence, but pro-peace.  As Founder of Girls Fight Back and Fight Back Productions, Erin is an active social entrepreneur and regularly writes and speaks on the business and marketing of creating change through socially responsible businesses.

Erin Weed
Founder & CEO
Fight Back Productions | Girls Fight Back!
4800 Baseline Rd. | Suite E104 #286 | Boulder, CO 80303
Toll Free: 1.866.432.2423 | Fax: 303.845.6847

• E-mail: eweed@fightbackproductions.com
• Web: http://fightbackproductions.com
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/erinweed
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/erinweed
• Blog: http://erinweed.com

My parents. My father always taught me that you must be the change you want to see in the world (quote from Ghandi) and he lives that everyday. He taught me that the only person you have to be ok with at the end of the day is the one looking back at you in the mirror and that once you have that you have a responsibility to teach others that same skill. When you value yourself then you already have the ability to value others and thus you would never put them in harms way.

Through a process my father likes to call "guided discovery." Help others to learn that change is an essential part of life and then help lead them through that process to discover the benefits of change for themselves.

Identifying that violence against others is not a common value is the first step in creating a community that cares. Once this is determined and a core set of the membership is willing to stand against the violence true social change can happen. Building an awareness within the community is also essential.

What is popular is not always right, what is right is not always popular. Always do what is right.

Kanye West - Stronger