Her speech, ranging from the 70's Women's Liberation movement to the recent brutalizing of women in Malawi of women who dared to wear trousers, pulled no punches as she carefully, expertly, and powerfully dissected the global culture of rape and injustice that is being perpetrated and perpuated against women.
Flanked by provocative signs stating "DOWN WITH DICK POWER" and "IF YOU USE YOUR PENIS AS A WEAPON YOU WILL BE DISARMED" Luhrs speech was complement and bolstered by equally expert and powerful remarks about the continuing culture of rape and sexual violence at UVM by Emily Ecks, a current student at that university.
Following the speeches by Ecks, Luhrs, and others; the pinnacle of the event was a speak-out during which anybody in attendence was invited to approach the podium, seize the microphone, and speak their mind. And speak they did.
Shattering the silence in the single most stirring act of courage that this reporter is ever likely to encounter, several survivors of rape and sexual violence, approached the podium and recounted, many for the first time, their stories of victimization, survival, and empowerment.
By the time each of them had finished they had rung every bell in the room.
