Recently, the brothers of Theta Delta Chi partnered with our school’s Title IX office, as well as Hillel and The Wicker Wellness Center, to host the Clothesline Project as a kickoff event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event created a powerful space for reflection, expression, and community engagement around an issue that is often difficult to confront but essential to address.
One of the most impactful elements of the Clothesline Project was the meaning behind each colored shirt. Different colors represent different experiences: red, pink, an orange symbolize individuals impacted by sexual assault, harassment, or rape; blue and green represent those affected by incest or child abuse; purple stands for survivors of domestic or intimate partner violence; yellow highlights experiences of stalking; white honors loved ones lost to gender-based violence; and black represents individuals targeted because of their identity. The visual impact of the meaning behind each color and the message written on the shirt was profoundly moving. It transformed a broad systemic issue into an unavoidable reality. The shirts became a powerful mosaic—sharing a voice and story and serving as a reminder that these experiences exist within our own community.
Ann Ciancia, Union’s Title IX Coordinator and Director of Equal Opportunity, emphasized this purpose, stating, “The CLP is a kickoff to Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It provides a way for students to artistically and creatively express their thoughts and feelings as well as bring the community together.” This idea was evident throughout the event. The act of creating or reading the shirts allowed people to engage in a way that felt personal yet collective. It was not just about observing but also participating in this event to raise awareness and help others feel seen and heard.
As a fraternity, it felt especially important to be a part of this event. Greek life is often part of bigger talks about campus culture, and this partnership showed our willingness to take action to improve and raise awareness within our community.
The Clothesline Project serves as the introduction to the sexual assault awareness campaign. All the events this month lead up to Denim Day on April 29th, which is the largest event of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Denim Day invites people to wear jeans as a visible protest against harmful misconceptions about sexual violence. It’s a simple but powerful way for the campus community to show solidarity with survivors and turn awareness into action.
Overall, the event reinforced that awareness must be ongoing and collective. Through the symbolism of the colored shirts and the shared space for expression, the Clothesline Project brought attention to the realities of sexual violence while encouraging the community to come together. It set the tone for the rest of the month, reminding us that real change begins with both understanding and action.
