Name: Emily Apgar
Year: 2017
Hometown: Nutley, NJ
Emily has been an involved student on the University of Scranton campus for several years now. She is a proud social justice warrior, and HC Scranton was lucky enough to sit down with her this week to get all of the ‘deets’ on Take Back the Night 2017!
HC: So Emily, how long have you been involved with the Jane Kopas Women’s Center here at the University of Scranton? And can you tell us a bit about what you do there?
EA: This is my second year as a work study student, but my fourth year involved with programming and volunteering. For work study, I am responsible for collaborating with fellow work study students and staff members to create educational programming related to gender equity, gender-based and sexual violence, and other topics related to social justice.
HC: Can you give a brief explanation of what Take Back the Night is, and also how long you’ve been involved with the planning committee?
EA: Take Back the Night (TBTN) is an international event that we hold in April, specifically because it is Sexual Assault Awareness month. It consists of a two-fold concept which has three major components. The two-fold part is educational and awareness-raising. The three major components include a pre-rally, rally and march, and ending the night with a speak out. The pre-rally gathers the community together where they participate in the educational aspect of the night. The rally and march proclaim what the night is all about. Finally, the speakout is where individuals who have experienced some form of violence are invited to share their stories. This is my fourth TBTN and our university’s twenty-seventh.
HC: Have you seen an increase in planning committee meeting attendance over the years?
EA: It’s ironic that you ask that, because it seems as though this year has been one of our smaller years of committee volunteers. However, overall, throughout the years the event itself has had an increased attendance.
HC: This year’s theme for TBTN is “We Are Here with Souls on Fire.” Can you tell us a bit about how you and the other members at the JKWC came up with it, and what it means to the Scranton community?
EA: The staff, Justine, and I spent at least a month trying to create a theme that would be descriptive and meaningful not only to us as a staff, but also to the community. We always try to be as inclusive as possible, and this year we hope to have done just that. We want everyone to know that they are not alone, and that we are in solidarity with them. Our hope for this year is to empower others and create a space where they may feel as they need to, but also resilient and connected to this year’s TBTN.
HC: What does Take Back the Night mean to you?
EA: To me, TBTN is an event that on one night a year, we can all come together as a community in solidarity, support, and belief of those who have experienced violence. For me, it is being there not only for myself, but also for those who may not have someone. I believe everyone has their own story and deserves the opportunity to proclaim it and use their voices.
HC: Can you please give a little insight on what to expect from a TBTN event for those who have never been? Also, do you know of a few resources, on and off campus, for people to reach if they need to?
EA: Of course! As I mentioned before, TBTN has 3 components to the event. The night starts off with a pre-rally which consists of educational tables with topics related to sexual assault awareness. There are also activity tables as we are joined by various student groups, clubs and organizations on and off campus for this part of the night. A rally and march follows with a procession around campus with chants and rally signs, proclaiming the night. The evening ends with a speakout where people who have experienced gender-based and sexual violence are invited to share their stories. On campus, the Jane Kopas Women’s Center is a private resource as well as is Jennifer LaPorta, our Title IX coordinator, and Dean Rivera, the deputy Title IX coordinator. However, we also have an advocate from Women’s Resource Center who is on campus Monday afternoons and is confidential. The Counseling Center on 6th floor of O’Hara Hall is also a confidential resource. Off campus, the Women’s Resource Center is available as a confidential resource. Then, Moses Taylor, Geisinger CMC and Regional are hospitals that are close in proximity to campus and are available 24/7.
The staff of the University of Scranton’s Jane Kopas Women’s Center. Emily is pictured top row, third from the left.
This year’s Take Back the Night will be held on the Dionne Green on Thursday, April 27, starting at 5 p.m. with the event’s pre-rally. The march will proceed to the Alumni Memorial Green around 7 p.m., and the speakout will begin thereafter.