April 15, 2008
The Clothesline Project, a traveling national grass roots
program supporting women who have experienced violence, debuted
today at St. John’s University on the Great Lawn of the school’s
Queens Campus. The
Clothesline Project will be on display from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. daily as part of a three-day exhibit (April 15-17) that
visually raises awareness of the prevalence of violence against
women today.
Photo
Gallery
Survivors and others participate in the project by designing a
shirt (with the help of art supplies, acrylic paints and permanent
markers) to be hung prominently on the clothesline, as an
expression of awareness and healing or in honor of someone killed
or harmed by violence. The Clothesline Project is sponsored by the
following St. John’s University groups: Women’s & Gender
Studies Program, Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society, Student
Wellness, Campus Ministry, Community Relations and
AAUW-Manhattan.
“This project was a collaborative effort between all parties to
make this happen,” said Dr. Judith Ryder, St. John’s College of
Arts and Sciences. “It is a great day for St. John’s and we’re
pleased to have the Clothesline Project on our campus.”
The event is part of National Crime Victim’s Rights Week,
recognizing that violence is not something that happens to other
people in other places, but to sisters, mothers, wives, friends and
colleagues – women with whom we live, work and study. The intent is
to bear witness to survivors and victims of violence; and to
educate and raise awareness of the extent of violence against
women.
To mark the occasion, a special New York State Assembly Citation
was read and presented by Diane J. Barrett, Chief of Staff to
Assemblyman Rory I. Lancman, crediting St. John’s University, the
Department of Sociology & Anthropology and Dr. Ryder for their
untiring work in support of this worthwhile endeavor.
Dr. Robin Robinson, Ph.D., Psy.D., University of Massachusetts
Dartmouth, followed the outdoor ceremony by delivering the keynote
speech to St. John’s University students, staff and administrators
titled: “Rolling Up Our Sleeves: Doing What It Takes to End
Violence Against Women & Girls” to close the festivities for
the day.
“The Clothesline Project is one of the most visible expressions of
the suffering that some women have experienced and it raises the
level of awareness for all,” said Joseph Sciame, Vice President for
Community Relations. “Indeed, this is a community-wide service
event that we can all be proud of.”
More details on the organization can be found by visiting the
Clothesline Project web site at www.clotheslineproject.org.
Information about the St. John’s-Clothesline Project event can be
acquired by sending e-mails to www.sju.akd@gmail.com.
Interested media are asked to call Dominic Scianna, Assistant
Vice President for Media Relations at St. John’s University at
(718) 990-6185 or e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.