Award-winning actress Ashley Judd spoke in Lisner Auditorium April 23 at the 2014 Grand Chapter, an event that brings together the Panhellenic, Interfraternity and Multicultural Greek communities on campus. Judd was a member of the Beta Chi chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) at the University of Kentucky. Judd spoke of her global humanitarian efforts and her political activism, showing the GW Greeks how they can be more than the letters they wear.
Judd is a three-time rape survivor, and advocates for increased focus on sexual assault on campus. According to Judd, sexual assault is underreported at many universities, but universities cannot change something independently. She recognized the importance that the Greek communities have on making a difference.
“The Greek community has a really strong role to play in advocacy,” Judd said.
Judd spoke of the Mentors in Violence Prevention Program (MVP.) The program takes student leaders and uses their statuses to speak out against rape and sexual violence, among other pertinent issues.
The GW Greek community raised $550,000 this year and Judd encouraged the students to use their power to do something.
“I hope that the Greek community will make progress in our prevention of sexual assault on campus, which is something [Judd] talked about,” said Alex Kanter, president of the GW Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
After Grand Chapter, the sisters of KKG stayed back in hopes to talk to Judd about her experience in Greek life, and how to use what they learn in Greek life to succeed after graduation.
“She was so much fun and so insightful; there were about eight of us and we talked over milkshakes and french fries. She’s just a really down to earth person and we had a great time. We ended up leaving [Burger Tap & Shake] 30 minutes after closing time,” Kanter said.