March 9 – May 13: BWIC’s 60-Hour Educational Seminar on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30 – 8:30PM at our Penn Street offices. For more information about the 60-Hour Seminar, which is required for all new staff and direct-service volunteers, call Karen at 610.373.1206.
March 31: The Kutztown University’s Women’s Center 20th anniversary celebration, reception beginning at 4:30PM, followed by a dinner at 5:00PM. Dr. Lydia Ruyle will speak at Alumni Auditorium, McFarland Student Union 183, at 7:30PM. Dr. Ruyle is a scholar and artist who has devoted her life to researching the Goddess and the portrayal of women in art throughout the world. For more information on this event, visit www.kutztown.edu/womenscenter/.
April 6-8: BWIC’s The Clothesline Project for SAAM at Albright College Campus Center.
April 8: Albright College’s Take Back the Night march will take place at 7PM, starting at the corner of Richmond and Linden St. The silent, candlelit march will travel down the street, passing by most of the Albright dorms, and then move across campus to Teel Hall, where speakers will begin at 8 PM.
April 9: The Clothesline Project for SAAM at Kutztown University, open to the public from 9AM – 5PM in the Bell Plaza between Old Main and the Admin Building. Benches are available for seating, and the Women’s Center Oasis (Old Main lower level) will be open to survivors who wish to create t-shirts to add to the display.
April 9: Kutztown University’s Take Back the Night at 7:00PM, Bear’s Den Coffeehouse, McFarland Student Union Building, including a speak-out and march. KU students who recently completed BWIC’s 60-Hour Educational Seminar will receive their certificates.
April 22: The Berks County Medical Society Alliance presents “Health in Balance: Building Resilience in Children and Teens,” from 6:30 – 9:00PM at Holy Name H.S., 955 E. Wyomissing Blvd., Reading. The speaker, Dr. Kenneth Ginsberg, lectures widely to parent and professional audiences on the significant physical and emotional damage that stress and every day pressures have on development. The program is free. Seating is limited. Registration is required. Email BCMSAlliance@berkscms.org or call 610.698.3615 for more information.
April 25: Kid’s Safety Awareness Day, from 9AM – 1PM at Boyertown Junior High West.
April 26 – May 3: Non-Violence Week for a Safe Reading/Berks Community. Various activities throughout the week in the city and suburbs culminate in a March for Non-Violence on May 3 at 3PM, beginning and ending at RACC, and followed by a Community Block party at 4PM. For more information about this event, please contact Steward Warner at 610.373.7260.
April 29: Health Fair at RACC, open to the public from 9 AM until 3 PM; Berks Hall - cafeteria and surrounding areas, both indoors and outdoors; BWIC will have the Clothesline Project outdoors; other stands include the Therapy Dogs, free blood sugar screening, East-West School of Massage, reiki, aromatherapy, berks coalition for organ donation and lots more.
May 7: The Purple Ribbon Council’s (PRC) Girls’ Night Out to Cut Out Domestic Abuse, from 4PM – 9PM 
at Empire Beauty School, 2302 N. Fifth Street Highway, Reading. Proceeds benefit BWIC, Cut It Out, and the Purple Ribbon Fund for Children. The Purple Ribbon Council works at the local, state and national level to prevent and respond to domestic abuse and domestic homicide through social change efforts that support, benefit and empower victims, families and communities. Cut It Out offers training and materials to salons nationwide, so that their staff can respond to domestic violence and make referrals. Attendees for Girls’ Night Out may purchase tickets at various price “levels” ($15, $30, $60 and $90) and will be treated to manicures, pedicures, facials, hairstyles and mini-makeovers, as well as appetizer, dessert and coffee sampling and door prizes. To attend or purchase tickets for spa services, visit www.GNOusa.org and select the Reading, PA location on the drop down menu, or call Empire at 610.372.2777. For more information about this event, call Christine at 610.373.1206.
May 13: BWIC’s 9th Annual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony Luncheon (Noon) and “Investigation and Prosecution of Strangulation Assaults” Training, 9AM – 3PM Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 100 N. Fifth Street, Reading. Training Speaker: Gael Strack, Esq, of the San Diego Family Justice Center. For more information, see the article in this issue of WomenSpeak or contact Maria at 610.373.1206.
May 21: Council on Chemical Abuse sponsored Peer Leadership Conference at BCIU Education Center. PeaceWorks educators will present Dating Violence, Sexual Harassment and Acquaintance Rape.
May 30: BWIC’s Dining With Friends Fundraising Event, “A Little Taste of Italy.” Dessert reception and Chinese Auction from 9PM – 11PM at Fish Pond West, Leesport. Tickets to dessert reception only are $35. For further information, see article in this edition of WomenSpeak or contact Christine at 610.373.1206. ◆