Last October, I had the honor of speaking for the kickoff of Domestic Violence Awareness Month aka Purple Light Nights. A local TV station was on hand to video (as best they could through the crowd, rain, and dark) – and it’s finally on YouTube!
This was a bitter-sweet occasion for me, telling my story and reaching out to victims. My vision is that someone who needed it was able to hear it and take the next step.
The fashion show gave the cosmetology and esthetic students at The Salon Professional Academy an opportunity to collaborate with local fiber, jewelry, and clothing designers in creating high-fashion hair and makeup looks for a final project – the fashion show – as well as a chance for many of the students to try their best runway walks. I got to tell the story of Anywho and Anyone to open and close the show.
During the show, I co-hosted with fellow Toastmaster, Roselie Gus, announcing the models, their outfit designers’ names and details, as well as who did their hair and make-up. Each girl was a work of art, and we had a lot of fun getting our hair and make-up done before the show, too!
The clothing and jewelry were for sale, with proceeds going to benefit the Pierce County YWCA. The show was a practice run for the upcoming RAGS wearable art sale & gallery in March 2012 – click the link for details and to buy tickets. A portion of all sales helps the YWCA keep abused women and children safe, healthy, and self-sufficient.
Info on TSPA:
The Salon Professional Academy is an innovative training center and the only beauty school endorsed by Redken 5th Avenue NYC for Excellence in Education. Students receive a superior education and are empowered to explore their creativity while learning the latest techniques in a leading-edge facility. The Salon Professional Academy also enables success by teaching critical business building skills which prepare students to become future industry leaders.
As a survivor myself, I love to volunteer for things like this. These women were not just beautiful, not just talented – they were empowered! This is the outcome of great programs like the Y – folks with a future!
This year I will be speaking out and singing (!) at the opening ceremonies of the Purple Light Nights in Covington, WA (7:00 pm October 1)
No, there are no strobes or discos and it’s not Christmas – though there is a tree! Purple Light Nights runs from October 1-31 and is all about saving lives through awareness and education about domestic violence. All over the city, purple lights will shine to raise awareness and get the community involved. Many businesses get involved by sponsoring lighted trees and buildings, lighting up the whole community in a safe-feeling, purple glow.
The event was conceived by the Covington Domestic Violence Task Force, King County, WA with the desire to:
Remember the victims who lost their lives from domestic violence
Support those who survived domestic violence
Hope for those still living with abuse
As a survivor of domestic violence, it is my honor to share my strength and hope for those who may need to hear it. I will post my speech here afterwards.
Take action – go to the Purple Light Nights website and see how you may get involved. If your city is not listed, perhaps it’s time you made it so!
Update:
If you’d like to see my speech, it’s now on YouTube.
