ABAC is set to host the campus’s first “Take Back the Night” (TBTN) event to shine a light on safety. Anslee James, the Campus Activities Board’s (CAB) Vice President of Public Relations, has taken the lead on the event, which will be hosted by CAB.
“Hosting this event is a small part of TBTN’s global efforts, and it is a way to show how supportive ABAC students and employees are in doing what is right,” Coordinator of Student Activities and CAB advisor Shawn Burnette said.
James plans to center the event around the idea that women deserve to take up space. She chose a yoga event to use yoga mats as a symbol of the space that participants will take up.
Sarah Herring, along with others with the Tifton Yoga Center, will provide yoga instruction for the attendees. Kayla Myers, SA Program and Shelter Manager for Ruth’s Cottage, is set to present on the chains that advocates break when clients come to the shelter for help.
“We [Ruth’s Cottage] know that everyone has barriers that keep them from getting the help that they deserve. Since this [Take Back the Night] is dedicated to women, we will focus on empowerment and independence,” Myers said.
TBTN coming to ABAC for the first time will aid in combatting sexual violence against all students on campus, as well as spreading awareness to those unaware of the issue of sexual violence on campuses everywhere.
“It is an important moment that ABAC is hosting this event because it says something about how this next generation views feminism and its place of value on our campus,” Chair of the Women’s History Month Committee Dr. Elizabeth Medley said. “Take Back the Night is about everyone’s right to exist in public, unharmed, and there is a lot of power in taking up space that way.”
If interested in hearing more about “Take Back the Night” at ABAC, James can be reached at ajames11@stallions.abac.edu.