April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month. Survivors of sexual violence include people of any age, race, gender, religion, and ability. Not only is sexual violence universally common, for college and college-age students, the statistics grow even more alarming—one in four will experience some type of sexual violence in their college years.
Saint Mary's is the only women’s college in the state of Indiana, and one of 31 in the United States. As an institution whose mission is to empower and educate women, it is our responsibility to talk about sexual violence, to raise awareness of its impact, and support women who speak up. That conversation continues on Saint Mary's College campus on April 13, 2026 for the next Raise Your Voice Symposium.
Schedule of Events
Monday, April 13
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Faculty and Staff Training
Rice Commons
Led by Connie Adams ’07
11:00 – 11:30 a.m. Prayer Service
Lizzy Seeberg Memorial Garden
Led by the Center for Faith, Action, & Ministry
This prayer service will provide a moment of reflection, solidarity, and hope as we kick off Raise Your Voice 2026. Join us at the Lizzy Seeberg Memorial Garden, outside of Riedinger House, as we come together in support and empowerment, honoring those affected by sexual violence and grounding ourselves in preparation to deepen our understanding of this pervasive issue.
11:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Raise Your Voice Keynote Panel
Stapleton Lounge
This year’s keynote panel brings together Saint Mary’s College alumnae from the past 25 years to reflect on the evolution of sexual violence prevention and and response on campus. Through personal stories of organizing, protest, policy reform, prevention efforts, and hard-earned lessons, panelists will trace how student voices have shaped institutional change. Together, they illuminate the collective courage, persistence, and accountability that have positioned Saint Mary’s as a leader in this work and challenge us to consider what responsibility and action look like next.
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Belle to Belle Student Session
Rice Commons
Presented by Pastor Carrie Badertscher and Adriana Petty ’01
Friendships can become strained or distant due to life challenges, such as surviving sexual assault, and Belle to Belle offers an interactive conversation where a survivor shares how this experience impacted her relationships. The workshop will discuss supporting each other through difficult times, accessing resources for survivors, and the importance of self-care for friends helping the healing process.
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
SMICK Rally
Le Mans Green (Rain Location: Haggar Parlor)
Since its origins in 2021, the Smick Rally has become a powerful annual tradition at Saint Mary’s College. What began as a collective stand against injustice and dehumanization has grown into a celebration of resilience, advocacy, and education, bringing together students, faculty, and staff to foster a culture of respect and accountability. The rally’s spirit of reclamation and community action has helped fuel broader prevention efforts and movements like Raise Your Voice, reminding us that meaningful change starts when we stand up, speak out, and refuse to be silent in the face of harm.
“WHAT WERE YOU WEARING” EXHIBIT
Available for viewing in Stapleton Conference Room April 13 - 15. Also available for viewing virtually.
“What Were You Wearing” is an art installation that answers the question frequently asked of survivors. This display features narratives and re-creations of outfits based on survivors' experiences within our campus community.
