Debuting in the 1990s, The Clothesline Project has been an annual event on the Mississippi State University campus ever since.

However, success stories of the Clothesline Project can be heard at colleges and universities all over the country.

Starting today and continuing through Thursday,

MSU’s Department of Health Promotion and Awareness will be putting on The  Clothesline Project from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Commonly mistaken as an event to promote sexual assault awareness, The Clothesline Project brings awareness and educates the public on many types of violence. 

Each year, the project creates a visual display of t-shirts, which is designed to promote awareness and help in the healing process of those affected by violence. 

However, there is not just one common purpose for the event but  four unique hopes for the project: to bear witness to survivors of violence, to help with the healing process of those affected directly by violence or those who had a loved one affected, to educate and raise society’s awareness and to provide a network of support and encouragement for everyone affected. 

Through creating t-shirts, survivors are encouraged to be creative, which can bring a sense of healing through art. 

Event coordinator, Leah Pylate spoke highly of the event and the effect it has on those looking for healing. 

“One of the best parts for me, is that people genuinely find healing in the process,” Pylate said.

T-shirts will be color-coded, with each color representing a specific type of violence. For example, yellow t-shirts represent physical violence, red or pink shirts stand for sexual assault or violence and white shirts are in memory of a loved one lost to violence.

For the first time, gray t-shirts will also be used to represent cyber-violence and bullying. 

This event is open to the whole MSU community and encourages all faculty, students and staff to stop by. 

It is free of charge for those interested in creating a shirt and creativity is always welcomed. 

For those who may have a harder time, counseling services will be there to comfort, assist and talk to anyone who may need it during the project. 

Although there will be services to assist those in need, help is always needed and accepted.

“Volunteers can stop by the tent at any time of the day to help,” Pylate said. 

For more information on the event or for on-campus counseling services, please contact the Student Counseling Services at (662)325-2091 or the Department of Health Promotion and Wellness at (662)325-2090.