More than 300 local leaders, philanthropists, activists and urban professionals raise awareness and funds for critical sexual assault counseling, education and advocacy work.
CHICAGO, IL (May 2, 2017) RVA honors Annie E. Clark and Andrea L. Pino, co-founders of End Rape on Campus and co-authors of the book, We Believe You, at their annual fundraising Soirée in the City, on Thursday, June 1st at Morgan Manufacturing.
Clark and Pino were also featured survivors in the 2015 documentary, The Hunting Ground, a depiction of rape crimes on U.S. college campuses and their institutional cover-ups. The duo will receive the Dr. Natalie A. Stephens Visionary Award, named after RVA’s founder, in recognition of the work of far-sighted leaders who have made a powerful and lasting impact on the issue of sexual violence.
PHOTO: From left to right, Andrea L. Pino and Annie E. Clark.
“The determination of these women is inspiring and their dedication to activism continues to be powerful in the fight to end sexual violence,” said Courtney Revis, Soirée in the City co-chair and RVA board member. “RVA is proud to honor them for the work they have done to elevate the conversation about sexual assault, and the work they continue to do as activists to effect positive change and help those who have faced sexual assault.”
Soirée in the City will host more than 300 local leaders, philanthropists, activists and urban professionals to raise funds to support RVA’s programs and services that are available free of charge to sexual assault survivors and their loved ones, as well as community education and advocacy programs. RVA serves over 1,800 survivors and their loved ones in the Chicago area each year, more than any organization of its kind.
What: Soirée in the City! This social event includes refreshing cocktails, delicious food, music by DJ Lady D, a compelling program and a large silent auction.
When: Thursday, June 1st
Where: Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60642
Sponsors include the Henderson family, Kristie Paskvan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Catharsis Productions, Consolidated Trading, and Protiviti.
To learn more about sponsorships and tickets, visit rapevictimadvocates.org/soiree or contact Sarah Murphy, Development Coordinator, at (312) 443-9603 ext. 21 or development@rapevictimadvocates.org.
ANNIE E. CLARK is Executive Director of End Rape On Campus (EROC) and a lead complainant in the Title IX and Clery complaints against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Political Science. She has a certificate in business from Kenan Flagler Business School, and is a former administrator at the University of Oregon. She has presented her work to the United Nations Commission on The Status of Women and is a contributing writer to the Huffington Post, MSNBC, and The Chronicle Vitae. After directly working with New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, she helped write the Bi-Partisan Campus Safety and Accountability Act. She has worked on numerous state level education laws, and in 2013 was listed alongside former President Barack Obama as one of the most influential forces in higher education. Annie is featured in the award winning documentary, The Hunting Ground, and along with Andrea L. Pino, is a co-author of the book, We Believe You, a collection of 36 stories of campus sexual assault.
ANDREA L. PINO is a co-founder of End Rape On Campus and the Director of Policy and Support. She attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she majored in Political Science. Her activism has been featured in the The New York Times, Vogue, CNN, Good Morning America, as well as many other media outlets. She has appeared as a guest on the Melissa Harris-Perry show, and is a contributor to the Huffington Post. In 2013, she became the first student featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Influence List, and was listed on the Huffington Post’s most influential forces in higher education list. Her work and personal journey is prominently featured in the documentary, The Hunting Ground, which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
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Rape Victim Advocates (RVA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of sexual assault survivors through non-judgmental crisis intervention counseling, individual counseling, support groups and medical and legal advocacy in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. RVA provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes towards sexual assault. RVA envisions a world where prevention efforts and global awareness of sexual violence expose rape myths, remove stigmas, eliminate rape and support all people as equal members of society. For more information, go to www.ourresilience.org.