Global Virtual

Upcoming Event: April 24, 2025 from 8-9pm EST

Join us for a free international TBTN Event of healing and sharing! Register now to secure your virtual seat.

Schedule

8:00 – Amy Tilton – Welcome
8:03 – Maggie Bertrand – Holding TBTN Events & The Importance of Making Space
8:08 – Tawon Green – Original Poetry
8:13 – Sydney Williams – Healing through Nature & Hiking
8:18 – Sydney Tiller – Getting Involved with Take Back The Night
8:23 – Leah Forney – Survivor Story
8:28 – Madeline Hisamoto – Trauma-Informed Title IX Support
8:33 – Willow Sipling – Gender Identity & Survivorship
8:38 – Milan Gupta – Young Men’s Involvement to Ending Sexual Violence
8:43 – Closing Thoughts from All Presenters
8:57 – Amy Tilton – Conclusion

Apply to Be a Presenter

Take Back The Night is seeking presenters for upcoming TBTN Global Virtual Events. If you can speak to any of the following, or have an idea for an additional topic, we welcome your application.

  1. Personal survivor story
  2. Poetry or spoken word – especially on topics of empowerment, healing, etc.
  3. Artistic expression – original songs, artistic works, etc.
  4. Grounding exercise – to open and/or close the Event
  5. Legal support or options for survivors
  6. Emotional support or options for survivors
  7. Title IX
  8. How sexual violence affects your community (example: racial groups, LGBTQ+, etc.)
  9. Global efforts to end sexual violence
  10. Men’s involvement in the work to end sexual violence
  11. Young people in the work to end sexual violence
  12. Campus advocacy

Event Presenters

Amy Tilton (She/Her)

Amy Tilton (She/Her)

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, TAKE BACK THE NIGHT

Amy serves as the Assistant Director for Take Back The Night. Amy coordinates the biannual TBTN Global Virtual Event and manages the TBTN Gear Shop. She provides technical direction to participants and volunteers for national TBTN projects and events, such as the Shine Your Light Yoga Festival. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences and professional experience in the medical field, Amy brings a passion for wellness to TBTN. Amy is also the Client Services Director for Campus Outreach Services, where she brings educational programs to schools on Health & Wellness issues, including Consent & Healthy Relationships.

Tawon Green (He/Him)

Tawon Green (He/Him)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CLAY COUNSELING FOUNDATION

Tawon Green, a San Bernardino native, graduated from Bethel College with a BA in Psychology. He’s a passionate community leader using poetry and public speaking to inspire people. As Executive Director of Clay Counseling Foundation, he leads as a Restorative Justice facilitator and trainer. He’s also Co-Chair of the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health African American Subcommittee. Tawon has presented at over 80 schools, chaired and emceed cultural competency summits, trained education leaders, and led a Boys to Men program. Helping others overcome adversity and reach their full potential brings him great pride.

Madeline Hisamoto (She/Her)

Madeline Hisamoto (She/Her)

TITLE IX DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PITZER COLLEGE

Madeline Hisamoto is currently the Title IX Deputy Coordinator at Pitzer College located in Claremont, California. Her role includes overseeing compliance, providing support, and enhancing educational programs related to Title IX. Previously, she spent over seven years working at her alma mater, Azusa Pacific University, as the Judicial Coordinator in the Title IX Oce. There, she conducted investigations, developed training programs, and managed disciplinary procedures. As an undergraduate student, she interned at the Women’s Resource Center on campus which started her journey working with survivors.

Sydney Williams (She/They)

Sydney Williams (She/They)

FOUNDER, HIKING MY FEELINGS

Sydney Williams is a speaker, author, and founder of Hiking My Feelings, a nonprofit dedicated to nature’s healing power. Her 15-year career in communications has spanned from launching Oscar Mayer’s social media channels to advocating for equitable access to recreational opportunities. She’s passionate about empathetic storytelling and centers curiosity and enthusiasm in her work. Sydney has been featured in HuffPost, Psychology Today, and U.S. News & World Report. She’s also a certified Wilderness First Responder and an instructor at Joshua Tree and Sequoia National Parks. She’s a founding member of the Outdoorist Oath and was nominated for Woman of the Year by San Diego Magazine.

Willow Sipling (She/Her/ They/Them)

Willow Sipling (She/Her/ They/Them)

RESEARCHER, WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Willow Sipling is an organizational sociologist focusing research and writing on social theory, religious fundamentalism, applied ethics, and queer studies. Willow is a PhD student at Western Michigan University and serves as Director of Engagement at OutCenter, a southwest Michigan-based LGBT advocacy organization. A survivor of LGBTQ+ discrimination, the Roman Catholic abuse crisis, and religious fundamentalism, Willow’s deconstruction and reconstruction journey has taught valuable lessons about empathy, intellectual humility, and how to take a principled stand against harmful cultures and influences. Willow is a lover of indoor climbing, dystopian and solarpunk literature, K-dramas, local cuisine, and spending time with friends.
Milan Gupta (He/Him)

Milan Gupta (He/Him)

STUDENT LEADER, READING SCHOOL

Milan is a student at the Reading Grammar School in England. He is an aspiring PPE student and intends to study at the LSE where he can be at the forefront of research and contemporary debate in the political sciences. He is passionate about gender equality and exploring the role young men play in creating a safer, more respectful society. He believes significant progress can be made by empowering young men to take responsibility for their actions, challenge harmful norms, and cultivate virtues of integrity—essential steps in fostering environments where women are treated with dignity.

Leah Forney (She/Her)

Leah Forney (She/Her)

SURVIVOR & AUTHOR

Leah M. Forney is a 9X published author, sought-after speaker, and podcast host. She’s the founder of SAAVE ME, a nonprofit empowering schools, educators, and administrators to create safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments for all, especially students in marginalized communities. For the past decade, Leah has used her voice and sexual assault story to lead conversations with politicians, law enforcement, and attorney generals. She’s a go-to speaker for organizations like RAINN and has been featured in publications like the Jackson Press, Dear Katie Podcast, and USA Today.

Maggie Bertrand (She/Her)

Maggie Bertrand (She/Her)

SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION & EDUCATION COORDINATOR, UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

Maggie Bertrand is a recent University of Oregon graduate with a Sociology degree and a Global Studies minor. She’s worked at the Women’s Center for four years, serving as the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator. Maggie led campus and community discussions on sexual violence and domestic abuse, focusing on marginalized groups. She also organized “Take Back The Night,” the university’s largest student event on these issues. Maggie has been interviewed by various media outlets and built relationships with students, staff, and community members. She’s grateful for the empowerment TBTN has given her family, friends, and herself as a survivor of sexual violence and domestic abuse.

Sydney Tiller (she/her)

Sydney Tiller (she/her)

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, TAKE BACK THE NIGHT FOUNDATION

Sydney, a video editor, earned her B.A. in Digital Media Studies from the University at Buffalo in 2020, complemented by a minor in Photography. Passionate about conveying impactful messages through art, she excels in the full spectrum of media production, handling content creation, camera operation, digital editing, and crafting engaging digital experiences. Committed to video editing, she blends technical expertise with creative storytelling to spark meaningful dialogue and incite positive change. When she’s not editing, you can find her on her family’s alpaca farm.

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Give financially or through your time and talent. We welcome everyone to the Take Back The Night movement and team!

CONTACT US

TBTN is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization. We work hard to respond to inquiries within 24 hours, if not sooner. To reach our Legal Support Team, please complete the intake form. For all other inquiries, complete our contact form. For immediate medical support, please call 911. For counseling support, call the RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) Hotline at (800) 656-4673 in the US or visit our Resources section for further information.

CONTACT US

TBTN is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization. We work hard to respond to inquiries within 24 hours, if not sooner. To reach our Legal Support Team, please complete the intake form. For all other inquiries, complete our contact form. For immediate medical support, please call 911. For counseling support, call the RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) Hotline at (800) 656-4673 in the US or visit our Resources section for further information.

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