Organizers of the Ames Women Take Back The Night Rally and March, scheduled for April 15, are hoping for a large turnout at this year’s event.

“This evening is an opportunity to show awareness to the campus and community,” said Julie Wooden, co-coordinator of the event.

The Iowa State and Ames communities are invited to join the gathering, which will kick off Wednesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. on central campus.

Aside from support, Wooden said the rally and march will give women a voice.

“It gives women a feeling of empowerment,” she said. “Women are able to speak out and be active.”

Several representatives from the Department of Public Safety and the sexual assault response team will be in attendance, and a professor from the women studies program will be speaking on various issues that evening, she said.

After the rally, a march will run through Campustown, central campus and greek neighborhoods.

“Many violent crimes involve alcohol, so we feel it is very important to march through Campustown, where many bars are located,” Wooden said.

An informative reception at the Margaret Sloss House Women’s Center will follow the march.

The center will be open at 8 p.m., and organizers will offer fliers about various support groups and services, as well as refreshments.

Area residents also are invited to join Des Moines’ 16th Annual Women Take Back The Night Rally and March on April 18 at 6:30 p.m.

The Polk County Victim Services will sponsor the event, which will be held at the Wilkie House Community Center, 900 17th St., in Des Moines.

“Absolutely everyone is invited,” said Betty Brown, co-chairwoman from the Polk County Victim Services.

“This event is to promote increased awareness and violence against women, and without everyone’s support, violence will continue in our community,” she said.

This gathering is an opportunity for all individuals to unite and peacefully protest violence, and to seek support from other victims and survivors of all forms of violence, Brown said.

Three survivors of violent crimes will share their stories with the community, she said.

The Isiserettes, a 55-member Drum and Drill Corps, will lead a candlelight march after the rally.

The march will start at the Wilkie House and will journey through the Sherman Hills District.

Marchers will then return to the Wilkie House for refreshments.

Free parking is available at Hoyt Sherman Place, 15th Street and Woodland Avenue, with a free shuttle to the Wilkie House.

The shuttle starts at 5:30 p.m. and will run every 15 minutes until 6:15 p.m.

The shuttle also is available after the march.