GCSU hangs clothes for domestic violence awareness

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  • The Clothesline Project raises awareness for Domestic Violence and has be displayed at Georgia College each October for 19 years. COURTESY OF GCSU
    The Clothesline Project raises awareness for Domestic Violence and has be displayed at Georgia College each October for 19 years. COURTESY OF GCSU
  • The community is given the opportunity to add their voice to the clothesline. Every shirt on the line was made by someone affected by violence or those who know someone affected by violence. COURTESY OF GCSU
    The community is given the opportunity to add their voice to the clothesline. Every shirt on the line was made by someone affected by violence or those who know someone affected by violence. COURTESY OF GCSU

    Georgia College & State University hosted its 19th annual Clothesline Project on main campus last week.

    The Clothesline Project is held near the end of October for Domestic Violence Awareness month. Originally brought to campus by undergraduate students Jennifer Graham and Jennifer Lindenverger, Graham now continues to lead the project in her position as director of the Women’s Center. The project is a visual display of shirts with graphic messages and illustrations that have been designed by survivors of violence or those who know someone affected by it.

    “The project began in Massachusetts inspired by the AIDS quilt. Women wanted to raise awareness about the different forms of violence, and they didn’t have an opportunity to talk in their society,” said Graham. “However, hanging clothes was a community moment among women and this project was a way to hang society’s ‘dirty laundry’ and give power to the voiceless so they knew they were not alone.”

    Annually, around 100 people come to view the shirts on display with an estimated 20 to 50 shirts being made each year and added to the clothesline. The line itself is displayed every year with one section dedicated to shirts since the beginning of the project and the rest of the line dedicated to more recent additions from the last three years.

    “We keep every shirt that is made, and we have rotated them out for the last 18 years,” said Graham. “We have a historical section for the older shirts and the rest of the line is for new additions and recent additions from the last two to three years.”

    The project is open for the entire community to participate in, and the Women’s Center accepts shirts throughout the year. Anyone can bring in a shirt to donate, even when the project is not physically displayed on campus.

    “We encourage the community to participate and share their stories and voices,” said Graham. “Each of the shirts remain anonymous but portray a story of someone who persisted in the face of suffering and showed resilience. Each message truly sticks with us and means something when we hang it onto a clothesline.”

    Program Coordinator Melissa Gerrior of the Women’s Center has assisted with the project on campus for eight years and interacted with the Clothesline Project at her former institution, Georgia Tech.

    “It’s a hard but beautiful week when we display the Clothesline Project,” said Gerrior. “I think it brings a sense of fellowship and community. People are supporting these voices and stories and the project has helped so many people process what they’ve been through.”

    All materials for the Clothesline Project are provided by the Women’s Center. Tables are spread around the clothesline display with shirts, paints, markers and more for people to add their stories to the clothesline.

    “We had about 35 shirts added to the clothesline this year,” said Gerrior. “And that number is significant every year because a large part of this project is showing the prevalence of violence and its effects. We raise awareness to let people share their experiences, learn about the violence, and know that they are not alone in what they have faced.”

    The Clothesline Project display ended on Oct. 27; however, the Women’s Center will be continuing to accept shirts for next year’s clothesline and offer resources to those who may need them. To donate a shirt or request resources, visit the Women’s Center at 111 S. Clarke Street.