The Power of Purple: Marist Students Color Their Commitment to End Domestic Violence

Title IX hosted its annual "Put the Nail in It" event, inviting the Marist community to paint their nails purple as a symbol of solidarity for domestic violence survivors.

Utilizing purple nail polish, students show their commitment to putting an end to domestic violence. Photo by Jamie Holzmann '25

For years, the color purple has served as a symbol of standing against domestic violence in October, which was officially declared as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989. 

DVAM aims to unite people all across the nation to recognize the causes and effects of domestic violence, while also making a concerted effort to advocate for solutions. 

The purple color, however, goes much deeper than visual appeal. Historically, purple has stood as a symbol of strength and unity long before its association with domestic violence. 

According to The Retreat Organization, purple has been closely associated with women's strength and empowerment. What is now recognized as a whole month of awareness used to be just one day, known as the “Day of Unity.”

On this day, the U.S. Military awards a Purple Heart to those wounded in service. Similarly, this concept extends to victims and survivors of abuse, who often endure both physical and emotional wounds throughout their lives. Now, it is used by almost all nonprofits advocating for domestic abuse victims.

Given its history and meaning, Marist College students came together to help students advocate for DVAM during the “Put the Nail in It” event in the Champagnat Breezeway on Oct. 16. 

Among the displays of purple ribbons and stickers were three bottles of purple nail polish spread across each table, encouraging students to paint their ring fingernails purple as a form of recognition and support towards domestic violence victims. Alongside the items were a variety of brochures containing crucial Title IX resources. 

Upon visiting the stand, students and faculty were greeted by Title IX interns and workers, one being Molly Emmens ‘25. Emmens is an intern for Family Services, which is under the Center for Economic Safety and Support. Part of her experience has involved working with the Title IX office and their interns.

Emmens and the Title IX interns hope to help students learn more about domestic violence and how to support those around them. 

“You never know who around you is a survivor and being able to show that support across campus is so important,” said Emmens.

Emmens explained that the purpose of the display was to demonstrate that “there's a lot of resources that are laid out on the table” at Marist. The collaboration of resources from the Office of Title IX, Family Services and the campus advocate aims to help students recognize a community that is there to support them.

Emmens works closely with Tam Cacchione, a campus advocate at the Family Services Center for Victim Safety and Support in Poughkeepsie, New York. Cacchione engages with colleges throughout Dutchess County, including Bard, Dutchess Community College and the Culinary Institute of America to educate students on confidential services and information available to those who have experienced gender-based misconduct.

Having been involved in both individual and group support systems, Cacchione emphasizes the importance of student involvement in awareness events like this one. Some Marist students, she added, have even asked to come to support her sessions. 

“The enthusiasm in the community is very powerful because the experience can feel very isolating,” said Cacchione.

Just down the table from Cacchione and Emmens was Abigeal Gammond ‘25. As a Title IX intern, she expressed her enthusiasm for what they have done for students, noting that her previous domestic violence class inspired her to continue learning and engage with the team on various campaigns. 

Unlike the typical media portrayal of domestic abuse, Cacchione explained that its warning signs are often not so simple. She referenced the recent film “It Ends with Us,” saying that many mistakenly associate domestic abuse with straightforward narratives.

“It's so much more than that. It's emotional abuse, it's not letting someone text certain people, it's financial abuse,” she said.

In fact, many may not even realize that their relationship has reached a point of what Cacchione refers to as being “past unhealthy,” which may potentially lead one to unsafe territories. 

These signs of abuse can even involve students' home lives, which Cacchione says she has often seen in those attending her events and sessions. Creating dialogue about abuse on campus can help students recognize these issues and motivate them to seek change in their situations.

She also noted that support groups provide a valuable sense of community.

“It's nice to know that other people are there to support and also to gain understanding and actually know what is abuse, which I didn't know when I was in college.”