Jessica Tartaro, Graduate Student, Clinical Psychology & V-Day Co-Facilitator

Jessica has been a long-time advocate for women at ASU. Since 2002, Jessica has served as co-facilitator of ASU V-Day. During this time, Jessica has greatly expanded the role of V-Day activism, working to build the movement beyond the success of the play, The Vagina Monologues. As a result, ASU V-Day has become a successful activist group. One of the greatest accomplishments of this group is the establishment of Home Safe, an anti-violence resource center on campus. Jessica was instrumental in getting Home Safe off the ground. Not only did Jessica help with the vision of the center, but she tirelessly advocated for support from the student government. As a result of these efforts, Home Safe was able to open its doors in Fall 2004.

In addition to Home Safe, Jessica has also worked to support women’s issues around the world. This year, Jessica worked hard to develop a coalition between ASU V-day and the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA). Through this effort, ASU V-Day was able to raise thousands of dollars for RAWA, which allows this group to provide many needed educational and health services to women in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Jessica is always one to stand up and doing something about women’s issues. She inspires women to break their silence and raise their voice – just as she has.