Students and staff gathered at Hughes Fieldhouse for the “Walk With Her” event, an interactive program designed to connect participants with women in the Maryville community while exploring women’s history and the progress of women’s rights.
The event encouraged attendees to walk and talk with women from the community, creating an open and engaging environment to share personal experiences and perspectives.
Dr. Jessie Peter, senior coordinator at the Center for Engagement and Community Connection, said the event aimed to foster meaningful connections.
“It’s a great chance to hear perspectives and experiences of the women around us,” Peter said. “The idea is to invite a woman who inspires you and to hear their story.”
The event was a collaborative effort involving multiple campus and community partners. Organizers emphasized that women’s history is not limited to one group, but is important for everyone to understand.
Terra Feick, a counselor at the Wellness Center, said inclusivity was a key focus.
“Like any person, any identity’s history is everybody’s history,” Feick said. “It doesn’t have to be just a walk for women — all people can show up and support the learning and growing and knowing history of women.”
Feick also highlighted the importance of incorporating wellness into community events, noting that health is a shared priority both on campus and throughout the Maryville community.
Organizers said the event provided an opportunity not only to reflect on the past, but also to build stronger connections and promote continued learning.