The Impact of a T-Shirt

As a new but lost freshman at UMD, I was still quiet and adjusting to the new world I was in, but within my first month in college, I came across the Clothesline Project. It’s job: to spread awareness and education about violence. To show that there is help, you are heard, there’s hope, and a safe path to healing. It was the very first time I saw any public talk and awareness being spread about interpersonal violence, and the first time I had seen some kind of help & community for these issues. It was the first time I felt change and empowered.

Since then I’ve participated in it every year at both of my schools, and as my last year I’m so thankful and proud to have ended it on an empowering note to project my growth. To seeing how broken I used to be, to taking that pain and using it to educate/help others, to building The Priya Project & working for VPVA, I would’ve never imagined myself in this position. So much more educated, proud, and happier than I ever thought I was capable of. It makes me so thankful for the community around me and support system I’ve been lucky enough to have.

The project began in 1990 after compiled data showed 51,000 US women were killed by men claiming to love them within a few years prior. The shirts were made by survivors or in honor of those who have experienced incest, domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking. It gave them a voice and a safe space while being the visual reminder of the truth of the world we live in, stirring up change, and most importantly, breaking the silence and paying tribute.

After my last clothesline project in college this week, I captured some that spoke volumes and wanted to share the emotion and strength brought by a few of the stories.