Take Back the Night

As I came back to my apartment Sunday night I felt a little sad. I had just experienced an amazing weekend with some pretty amazing people and there I was back in my little home feeling frustrated. I didn't want the inspiration, confidence, and relationships to end. I knew that I wanted to do something on campus, to get people involved, to change something, but what?
My boyfriend simply told me to start something that I was passionate about. The topic of women was the first thing to come to my mind. I have a strong passion for helping women who are oppressed, abused, and who don't have a voice, but I never thought of creating an organization for women on my campus, so I left my thought hanging in the air and went to class on Monday morning.

Monday afternoon my roommate, Jenna, and I sat down for lunch and I began telling her about my weekend, how inspired I was, and how I needed to organize something soon. Somehow or another we began talking about Take Back the Night. This is a national event to raise awareness for sexual assault. It gives women the chance to stand up for themselves..and well take back the night. It just so happens that April is sexual assault awareness month...how perfect! Within a half hour we decided that we are going to host this event on April 16, 2009 at or around Columbia's campus...hopefully in Grant Park. The talk about this one event has transformed into what will become our very own women's organization.

I have always felt confident in what I want to do with my life and now I am finally feeling a confidence within myself. I am ready and able to fight for what I believe in, and change something for the better.