Sexual Assault Survivor To Speak At Michigan Tech

Author, speaker and sexual assault survivor Aspen Matis will speak at Michigan Tech at 8 p.m. Wednesday (April 5) in Fisher 135.

Her best-selling book, “Girl in the Woods,” has been called “a powerful read” by O, The Oprah Mazazine. The New York Times named Matis “a hero” and Lena Dunham of “Girls” called her book “Beautiful and so wildly engaging.”  The book made The Guardian’s annual top 50 list.

Matis was raped on just her second night at college. Depressed and shocked that her school didn’t believe and protect her and discouraged by her otherwise loving and supportive parents from speaking of the attack, she dropped out of school. Matis then sought healing in the wild, on the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail leading from Mexico to Canada.

“Girl in the Woods,” chronicles her five-month trek including encounters with rattlesnakes, bears and fellow pilgrims. More about Matis, her book and life is available online. A book signing will be held after the event.

This event is sponsored by Michigan Tech’s Office of the President, Institutional Equity and Inclusion/Title IX, Student Affairs and Advancement, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Visiting Women & Minority Lecturer/Scholar Series, Academic and Community Conduct, Human Resources, Housing and Residential Life, Student Health and Wellness, Athletics, Undergraduate Student Government, Order of Omega and Panhellenic Council.