Recently, CASS hosted “Night to Love Yourself,” a night of healing and self-care to help our community recharge as we all continue the important work of ending gendered violence. We engaged in quiet, connective, and energizing activities to help center ourselves in these difficult times.

Artists across a variety of mediums contributed their skills and passion to the event. Sunu Chandy of Split This Rock hosted a writing workshop with the group to guide participants through personal and collective stories of empowerment and changemaking around harassment. Led by Rose Jaffe, we also created block-printed art with powerful images of women and feminine power. Meanwhile, local masseuse Eve Grice supported our physical and emotional healing.

To combine healing and activism, we provided an abbreviated version of CASS’s popular upstander/bystander training. Chantal Coudoux, our Deputy Director, equipped attendees with a basic understanding of public gendered harassment and provided techniques they can use to intervene when witnessing harassment in their daily lives.

Lastly, we gave a quick overview of the Street Harassment Prevention Act (SHPA), which CASS has been advocating for in DC Council since 2017. To learn more about our involvement in SHPA, visit our policy page.

Ending gendered violence is difficult and often tiring work, and its crucial to take time to care for and heal ourselves. Ultimately, our “Night to Love Yourself” brought together the arts, self-care, and activism creating a space to re-energize so we can continue the long term work to build a world where we can all feel safe.