Cougar News spoke to Collin College student Taliesun Marion and Dr. Sherry Rhodes to find out more about The Dignity Initiative and why students should check out upcoming events.
According to Taliesun Marion, The Dignity Initiative workshops are cool.
“Each event is super informative and makes me want to know and do more. At the end, there is an hour of questions and open discussion. Speakers have genuine conversations with the students,” Marion said.
When asked what she would say to students who do not feel they are affected by violence against women, Marion responds that this violence is occurring in our society.
“It starts with us. We are the younger generation. Everybody is always saying the world will be ours soon. We are starting to make changes in the world right now. If we are not aware, how will we make an impact?”
What is The Dignity Initiative and when was it founded?
The Dignity Initiative is a district-wide campaign to stop violence against women and support the civil treatment of women. It was founded December 2013.
Who founded it and why?
Professor Sherry Rhodes describes why she initiated the founding of The Dignity Initiative.
I saw a need to prevent and stop violence against women. Every semester, students shared stories of violence in their homes, violence against them, or violence against someone they knew. At Gary Hodge’s urging, I invited individuals from different disciplines, and 17 faculty and staff members from all three campuses presented a proposal about the initiative which was accepted. After eight months of development, we kicked off the campaign in Sept. 2014. I credit the success of the initiative to a wonderful working committee, my co-chair, Tracey McKenzie, and Gary Hodge, our administrative liaison, as well as the many faculty, staff, and administrators who have supported our initiative. We have also been supported by Student Life and SAFAC.
What positive impact have you seen since it was founded?
More than 11,500 students, faculty, staff, and community members have attended our events. We have exposed students to the causes of violence against women, ways to prevent the violence, and support services that are available. We have referred students to Counseling Services and to our community partners which has helped them get the help and support that they need. We are fortunate to have counselors attend all of our events and have found that students often seek help at the event or after the event. We’ve also found that students often do not know that services are available until they attend our events.
The new line-up includes John and MacKenzie Baldwin, authors of the book, Almost Gone, speaking about their experiences with the dangers of meeting someone online, and Leslie Gorbett, Human Trafficking Specialist with TAASA, speaking about gender violence and sex trafficking.
Why should students attend?
Students will learn about services and support systems that are available to help them, their family members, and friends. Our goal is to help students lead healthy lives and build healthy relationships. We want them to be treated with respect and to treat others with respect. Women and men are abused in this country and in this community every day. We want to help them learn how to resolve problems with their words and actions.
Are these events for males and females?
The events are for both. Our goal is to create awareness and action to prevent and stop the violence. Our overall mission is to support the respectful treatment of women.
How much do events cost?
The events are free and open to students, faculty, staff and community members. This semester, we are also providing refreshments at all of our events.
When are the next events?
Dancing Saved My Life . . . Healing Through Movement Workshop
Participate in an interactive performance workshop focusing on the power of movement to affect disease and trauma in the brain.
Presenter: Jill Simpson, director of the Body/Mind/Movement Program in Canada and developer of two innovative programs which use dance-based movement as a powerful tool to help people struggling with cognitive and neurodegenerative issues.
Tuesday, March 20
6-8:30 p.m.
SCC Living Legends Conference Center
Seating is limited. Reservations required: Contact Sherry Rhodes at srhodes@collin.edu, or 972.516.5063.
Miss Representation Film/Discussion
Watch this film, and listen to a panel discussion on the media’s under-representation and disparaging portrayals of women in positions of power.
Tuesday, April 10
6-8:30 p.m.
PRC Conference Center
Thursday, April 12
6-8:30 p.m.
Spring Creek Campus Living Legends Conference Center
Tuesday, April 17 (Note: this date changed from the original date)
6-8:30 p.m.
Central Park Campus Conference Center
How can I get more information?
Visit https://www.collin.edu/community/dignity/ or contact Sherry Rhodes at Srhodes@collin.edu.