Confronting Violence, Improving Women’s Lives exhibit visits Texas A&M

The National Library of Medicine’s Confronting Violence, Improving Women’s Lives traveling exhibit will visit Texas A&M University starting September 26. Focused on telling the little known story of the anti-domestic violence movement, the national exhibit will be on display at various libraries across campus until November 4.

“This will be a special exhibit because it covers an important topic that needs greater visibility,” explained David Carlson, dean of Texas A&M University Libraries. “It is easy to admire heroes who make the front pages but it is those who work behind the scenes on difficult problems in the dark corners of our society that deserve our special admiration. This exhibit illuminates some of these nurse activist heroes.”

The traveling exhibit includes a glimpse of journal articles, reports and manuscripts telling the story of women activists in the past and those who continue activism today. There will also be a wide selection of buttons, posters and photographs shared by the first generation of nurse activists. Many of these artifacts were donated by nurse activists themselves, including Daniel Sheridan, PhD, who is currently a professor at the Texas A&M College of Nursing.

“Since 1978, I have worked with colleagues across the nation to help stop violence against women and children, but sadly, it continues to be a major public health problem,” explained Sheridan, who is also director of the Forensic Health Care Education, Research and Intervention Program at the College of Nursing. “While this exhibit celebrates past efforts to confront violence, it also emphasizes that as a community, we need to make the safety of women, children, the elderly and other vulnerable populations a priority. Everyone should be safe from physical and sexual violence.”

Accompanying the traveling exhibit at Texas A&M will be several opportunities for students and community members to learn more about local resources for those dealing with domestic violence. There will also be opportunities for visitors to learn more about how they can join the activist movement in the Bryan/College Station area.

The exhibit will spend September 26 through October 9 in the Texas A&M College of Nursing, located in Bryan. Starting on October 10, the exhibit will relocate to the Medical Sciences Library on Texas A&M University main campus until October 23. The exhibit will then spend October 24 through November 4 in Sterling C. Evans Library.