Fridley Woman Looking Toward What's Next for SlutWalk Minneapolis

brought a new awareness about sexual violence to Minnesota when she organized .

And the hundreds who turned out for the Oct. 1 march and rally in Minneapolis gained a voice and new vehicle for organizing: SlutWalk Minneapolis.

“While the word ‘slut’ in SlutWalk Minneapolis was a very polarizing word, it raised awareness," Sherva said. “Our message was simple: no one wants to be raped. No one. Our motto wasn’t ‘Don’t get raped’ it was ‘DON’T RAPE.' We encouraged people to think about the rape culture and how it is mostly propagated by men against women, although rape and sexual assault can happen to anyone.”

Sherva’s extensive preparations ensured that the inaugural SlutWalk Minneapolis was a success. From the initial conception of the walk, through mountains of paperwork, to fundraising to pay for licensing required by the City of Minneapolis, Sherva persevered.

But her organizing work involved more than practical and bureaucratic tasks. An Open Mic night held before the walk allowed participants to be heard in a no-pressure environment.

“There was talking, there was sharing, and in the end, I feel it was very empowering and positive,” Sherva said. “There were moments when we cried, moments when we laughed, and there were moments when there were just hugs. It was wonderful”.

Meetings were held throughout the months before the walk to inform the public of the mission of the walk and that it was inclusive to all.

While not accustomed to being in the limelight, Sherva became used to it as local media descended upon her for interviews. “It was very validating. I felt like Sally Field when she gave her Oscars speech for [Places of the Heart]: ‘You like me, you really, really like me.’ While some of the interviews were pretty daunting, such as the one with conservative FOX9, I felt that our message got out.”

What’s next? “I am currently halfway through the fall semester of my second year at NHCC (North Hennepin Community College). I will transfer to a four-year college to complete a bachelor's in social work. I plan on getting my master's in social work. I will work as a therapist for the GLBTQ community, for those who have been in abusive families, for sexual assault/rape survivors, and for adoptees and prospective adoptive parents.”

“I will be attending a facilitator training session with NAMI MN (National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota) and will be co-leading a support group for GLBTQ people. I am thrilled for this opportunity to learn how to help others in a supportive, safe, healing environment.

“And planning for next year’s walk,” she said with a grin.

Sherva, a survivor who said she wants to change the rape culture we live in, has come a long way. She was born in Korea and adopted by a family in Detroit Lakes, MN, as a baby and moved to the Twin Cities when she was 21. Sherva now lives in Fridley with her husband and two children, a roommate, two cats, two rats, three geckos and a tankful of fish.

A Town Hall meeting is set for Oct. 22 at Hosmer Public Library, 347 E. 36th St., Minneapolis, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., to get feedback about the first walk and discuss what can be improved for next year’s event. On the agenda also are suggestions for events to be held throughout the year. All are invited.