In 1996, 19-year-old Vanessa German ingested 70 prescription pills in an attempted suicide in Los Angeles. On Tuesday evening, she shared her story with a group of students at Pruis Hall.
The presentation was sponsored by Ball State University's Multicultural Center as part of their "Women – The Power of You" series as part of Women's History Month.
MarTeze Hammonds, assistant director of the Multicultural Center, said the reason for choosing German was to highlight a person who had gone through life's obstacles but still persevered.
"We were especially drawn to her journey," he said, "and wanted to give students a pep talk, some motivation. College is college, but we urge students to keep going and to jump the hurdles of life."
German began with a poem and the motto, "I live with art as my way of life." Her story continued as she gave the harrowing account of her attempted suicide — during which she swallowed handfuls of prescription painkillers and coffee cups full of vodka — and the events of her life leading up to it.
She then explained how her life changed after the suicide attempt and how she began to accept what happened. German said that in choosing not to hide, she allowed herself to move past it.
"I stand here tonight as more than just a girl who tried to kill herself," she said. "I made the decision that I am here for a reason and that reason is to tell you my story."
German stressed that students discuss their problems with friends and family.
"One of the things students should always remember is that you aren't alone," she said. "People keep secrets and hold onto shame, but not telling anyone is what keeps us down."
Senior Alivia Johnson said German's lecture was influential.
"It makes you realize how important life is," she said. "We should all learn to humble ourselves with the life we're given."
Sophomore Carl Ives said the best thing he took from the talk was to live life to the fullest and to not take things for granted.
"I've heard some stories about bad things happening to people, but she's lived through a lot and she still turned out very nice," he said.
German ended her presentation with another poem and the story of Claudette Colvin, an African-American woman who lived in Montgomery, Ala., during the beginning of the civil rights movement. Colvin, who is often regarded as the "first Rosa Parks," refused to relinquish her seat on a city bus when she was only 15. Her case was not brought up by the NAACP due to her age, but paved the way for people like Parks.
"You should ask yourselves whether or not you would stand up for what you believe is right," German said.
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