Delta Tau Delta’s 10th annual event raises awareness of violence against women
By The Sacred Heart University Marketing Team
Sacred Heart University’s Delta Tau Delta fraternity recently partnered with the Center for Family Justice to host SHU’s 10th annual White Ribbon Campaign rally, which raises awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence against women.
The White Ribbon Campaign is a global movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls. It has become part of Delta Tau Delta’s local philanthropy.
The rally, which took place March 27 in the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts, included speeches and participants signing a pledge to help end violence. Students, faculty and staff attended.
“We are here because this is really important. We are here to engage men and boys,” said Gary MacNamara, SHU’s executive director of public safety & governmental affairs. “We have the power to make our communities safer by doing events like these.”
The rally began with an opening prayer from Venerable Shim Bo, SHU campus ministry chaplain. University President John J. Petillo offered opening remarks, during which he praised the Delta Tau Delta members for their ongoing dedication to raising awareness of violence against women.
Representatives from the Center for Family Justice also spoke. The organization aims to break the cycle of abuse and violence by providing services that create hope, restore lives and drive social change through education and community collaboration. It serves Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull.
Matthew Reale ’86, president of the Center for Family Justice board of directors, listed steps men can take to support the White Ribbon Campaign and end violence against women. These include never using force, threats or violence against others; being good role models and sharing the importance of respecting women and girls; speaking out against hurtful language, sexist jokes and bullying, and accepting their role as men in helping to end violence against women.
Greg Trezza ’25, Delta Tau Delta president, reflected on the event’s impact. “No one person can do everything, but every person can do something. I encourage you all to be activists,” he said.
“It starts with us—intervening in a situation that does not sit right with you, believing a friend that comes to you for help. We can make a difference,” said Hailey Filera ’25, president of SHU’s Kappa Delta chapter.
Other speakers included Bill Gerber, Fairfield first selectman; Debra Greenwood ’76 Center for Family Justice CEO and executive director; Robert Kalamaras, Fairfield police chief; Francesca Guerrier, leader of Sacred Heart University’s efforts to combat violence against women; Tom Gallo ’77, ’84, White Ribbon Campaign member and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes publicist; Ken Mysogland, Department of Children and Families administrator and SHU social work lecturer, and Matthew DeVito ’20, Delta Tau Delta chapter adviser.
Next, the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an international White Ribbon Campaign event to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence, will kick off April 27, at 9 a.m. at the Fairfield Train Station.
