Students at STC’s Pecan Campus stop to view paper tombstones on display to commemorate the many lives lost to domestic violence.

October is Domestic Violence Month and South Texas College Women’s Studies Committee is working to raise awareness about the grim and horrible realities some women face in the nation, state and Valley. In 2009 alone in the state of Texas, 130 women have died from domestic violence.

The committee displayed paper tombstones in the center of the college’s Pecan Campus with the names, ages, and stories of several women who have died as a result of domestic violence. Students and staff were struck by the images, which created a buzz on campus.

The group also hosted a seminar to highlight the struggles of immigrant women who face domestic violence. Jaime Ortiz of the South Texas Civil Rights Project, Celestino Gallegos of Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid and Rogelio Nunez of Proyecto Libertad discussed their experiences on the issue.

The committee is made up of faculty, students, and members of the community who try to bring awareness to issues impacting women.

For more information about the committee call Jennifer Clark at 956-872-3510 or at jclark@southtexascollege.edu.