The Eighth Annual “Walk for Women” raised almost $1,500 to support a new sexual assault awareness program for Western Carolina University and the surrounding community. The one-year-old Women’s Center will develop and administer the awareness program.
This was the first year the “Walk for Women” had been designated as a fundraiser. Participants of the event were asked to bring a one-dollar donation that would fund educational materials, guest speakers and training programs for resident assistants to increase sexual assault awareness. Students in Dr. Betty Farmer’s Gender Communication class also contributed to the cause in a separate fundraiser.
The money was counted during the pre-walk program, which included a motivational speech for women from Darcel Grimes, WLOS News 13 Anchor. Following the program, Farmer, the walk’s coordinator, presented Rebecca Caldwell, director of the Women’s Center, with the donation. Caldwell responded by thanking all the participants and students who helped in the walk.
The Walk for Women was just one of many activities planned during Women’s History Month, which is a national celebration during March. For more information on the Women’s Studies Program or Women’s History Month activities, contact Marilyn Chamberlin at 227-3878. For more information about the Women’s Center contact Rebecca Caldwell at 227-3982.
