This spring NDP showed a wave of support for the One Love Organization and reflected on the empowering story of NDP graduate, Yeardly Love. We hosted University of Virgina vs Maryland women’s lacrosse teams on April 3rd, held an all-school One Love Assembly, and the freshman students have been learning about Yeardly’s story in health class.
One Love Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending relationship abuse and promoting healthy relationships. One Love was founded in memory of Yeardley Love, a University of Virginia student and NDP graduate, who tragically lost her life to relationship violence. The foundation empowers people to recognize the signs of unhealthy relationships. One Love aims to create a world where everyone understands the importance of respect, communication, and boundaries in relationships.
The awareness events hosted received an incredible amount of exuberance. At the University of Virgina vs Maryland game, nearly 1,800 people came out to show their support and love. The cheers and overall enthusiasm from the crowd was overwhelming. For me, watching the game and sharing the emotions with those around me created a very memorable experience.
At the One Love Assembly, the entire Upper Level learned the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships from the One Love Club members. There were a variety of skits, some being very silly, with which the audience actively participated in!.
In freshman health classes, the ‘28s are watching the movie Reviving Ophelia. It portrays a girl in an abusive relationship and how her cousin helps her gain the confidence to end contact with him. The freshmen participate in meaningful class discussions as quoted by student Lynn Eckenrode “I grew in empathy for those people, and I have definitely learned more about unhealthy relationships”.
The difference and impact these events create is very tangible and easy to grasp. If you want to help raise awareness you can participate in fundraising events, attend educational workshops and/or sports games, or even wear One Love merchandise and when someone compliments your outfit you can make a little plug for One Love.