NO MORE

This week marks the first anniversary of an organization that I fully support and want to share with you. This is in no way a sponsored, or even partnered, post. I truly just want to share this organization with you and hope that you support the cause and participate in some of the social media activities they are hosting throughout the week.

Make your own message by downloading the poster and post your photo using #NOMOREweek 

NO MORE is an organization passionate about ending domestic violence and sexual assault. It hopes the blue zero symbol (as in zero incidents of domestic violence) will become the type of symbol that the pink ribbon has become for breast cancer and red ribbon is for HIV/AIDS. This is an important organization to support because it is shedding new light on an under-talked-about issue. We all know someone who is facing this issue, we just might not know that they are. There shouldn't be a stigma for being a victim and we need to stop making excuses for the people who commit these crimes.

Think about these numbers: 

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience violence from their partners in their lifetimes.
• 1 in 3 teens experience sexual or physical abuse or threats from a boyfriend or girlfriend in one year.
• 1 in 5 women are survivors of rape.
• 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced some form of sexual victimization in their lives.
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men were sexually abused before the age of 18.

"These are not numbers. They're our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children, co-workers and friends. They're the person you confide in most at work, the guy you play basketball with, the people in your book club, your poker buddy, your teenager's best friend - or your teen, herself. The silence and shame must end for good." - NOMORE.org

I hope you consider checking out the NO MORE campaign throughout this anniversary week and learn about how we all can make a difference and get involved until there really are NO MORE acts of domestic violence and sexual assault. 

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Hazard Yet Forward

If you're local to the Pittsburgh area, I'm sure you've heard about the tragic bus accident that happened to the Seton Hill women's lacrosse team, that claimed the lives of Kristina Quigley, head coach, and Anthony Guaetta, bus driver, on Saturday on the way to the team's match. If you're not local, you've probably still heard something about the outpouring of love from other teams and universities around the country. As an alumna of Seton Hill (class of 2011) I cannot describe all of the emotions coursing through me, but for my fellow Griffins, I'll try...

Photo I edited - feel free to share it & link back.

I am proud to be a member of the Seton Hill community. I always have been.

I'm proud to know that everyone on campus is showing their support by attending last night's service.

To know that a memorial is growing near the field house because our campus has a huge heart.

I'm proud to see the love coming in from outside groups like Play 4 Seton Hill.

That group, made for SHU lacrosse, not by SHU lacrosse, is growing by the second and has been a huge

source of comfort to see other teams wearing the Seton Hill crimson and gold in support of our team.

I'm proud to know that Coach Quigley's family will be supported through an ever-growing fund.

To see how calmly and professionally the staff of The Setonian is handling this news. 

I'm proud to have learned how to grow, love, give, and transform because of Seton Hill.

And although I wish you little Griffins didn't have to learn it this way, 

I'm proud that tradition of growth and learning continues.

 But dearest Seton Hill, dear little Griffins, please know beyond a doubt that we are behind you.

Fellow Griffins, as alumni, staff and faculty and the other students you see everyday, we love you.

We have seen tragedy before and while we do not know your exact feelings,

we have been where you are now.

We know what it's like to want to news cameras and reporters to just leave you alone.

We know what it's like to feel overwhelmed with emotion and wondering how to move on from here.

I remember sitting in the chapel you were in last night as a sophomore for a similar memorial service and hearing someone read a letter from an alum, on behalf of all alumni, saying they grieved with us and were praying for God to ease our pain, but that as Griffins we were all in this together.

Back then, I didn't understand how people who were no longer on our campus could understand.

But now, as an alum, I get it.

Once a Griffin. Always a Griffin.

We mourn with you. We empathize with you. We support you. We are proud of you. We love you.

It's fine if you're not ready now.

Take your time to grieve and remember the amazing woman who touched your lives.

Take your time to hold your teammates, your friends, your family, 

anyone who makes your Seton Hill experience complete.

Remember we are more than a school, we are a family.

And when you're ready, in true Griffin fashion, 

Hazard Yet Forward.