Most of us have probably had the experience of traveling and staying in a hotel and using the toiletries provided. Those of us who are frugal often take these items home with us. During the fall 2012 semester, Women and Gender Studies professors Angie Hattery and Kim Eby taught a class on family violence. During class discussions, students were prompted to think of practical things that they could do to work to alleviate all forms of family violence. Professor Hattery suggested that students, when they travel, bring back hotel samples—unopened of course!—and that Women and Gender Studies would collect these items and donate them to Artemis House, a local shelter for battered women and children.
Joy Tharrington, class member and starting forward on the Patriots' women’s basketball team, took the challenge seriously. She shared the idea with her teammates and they agreed to collect hotel samples during their road trips and contribute to the collection effort. After the trip to New Mexico during Thanksgiving break, Tharrington presented dozens of mini-bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion and bars of soap to the class.
"For me, this challenge was a no brainer," she remarked. "Our class has opened my eyes to so many issues concerning family violence and I saw an opportunity to do my part and help. If the enthusiasm from the first trip is any indication of what’s to come, then we will be very successful!”
Tharrington noted that her teammates responded very positively to the challenge. She also commented that if all goes well, she’d like to expand the efforts to other teams as well. Not only would that result in more donations, but it will raise awareness about domestic violence and child abuse and create an opportunity to dialog about these social issues. Tharrington’s efforts inspired other class members to bring in their sample toiletries as well.
Additionally we want to note that there are other Mason teams, including track and field, who are participating in similar projects. Together, our student athletes are changing lives!
Women and Gender Studies has placed a donation box in the Johnson Center (JC 240K) and welcomes any donations and will share them with Artemis House on an on-going basis.
December 12, 2012
