Last year in April I attended a very inspiring luncheon organized by the YWCA and vowed to make this an annual event for myself. This year I counted the days to attend again and invited several special women friends to join me and share in what I knew would be another wonderful luncheon. And it was ! Over 700 women attended the “YWCA Celebration Luncheon 2008” held today in the Bicentennial Pavilion. Just walking into the lobby you could feel the energy of women excited to see each other, purchasing hand-made jewelry and listening to the rhythm of African drums being played by a unique trio of musicians. “This is a reminder of how many wonderful women we have right here in our community” said my friend Nancy.
Executive Director Miriam Barnett presented a touching story of a women who arrived in a taxi at the shelter this past Saturday with “everything she owned” her child, a diaper bag and one suitcase. Keynote speaker Nontombi Naomi Tuitu spoke about hope and inspiration.
Did you know the YWCA has been assisting women in Tacoma since 1906? This very vital Non-profit assisted more than 12,000 women and children in 2007. Over 4700 calls were answered on the 24-hour domestic violence crisis line. Do we dare believe domestic violence does not exist in our community? The statistics show it does. Let us not forget how important this need is in our community to keep women and children safe. How can you help? Volunteer, make a donation and advocate for women! I support the YWCA and encourage you to as well.
ywcapiercecounty.org
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7 comments:
Thank you for sharing this wonderful event with the Neighborhood, Patty! I believe that a gathering of women is a very powerful thing and one of 700 must be a fiersome thing. The Y is the source of much that's good in Tacoma and other towns across the country.
Right on Patty...great post!
The YWCA does an incredible job for battered women with both shelter and legal help. Two thumbs up...and a very heartfelt thank you to all the great folks involved.
Patty, I am sorry I couldn't get to this. It sounds empowering, sobering, and thoughtful. Women, together, will get it done!
Lovely post, friend.
WOMAN POWER FOREVER... the YW and YM do tremendous work... and affirming the dignity of women is a task I look forward to continuing both personally and professionally
GREAT POST
Thank you for all of your compliments, Joseph, Lorraine, Kim and Stephanie!
WOMAN POWER - supporting women in NEED!
Those services didn't exist when my mother needed them. It is important for women to know that they do have options today, they do have some place to go, that no one -- not a boyfriend, not a spouse, not a coworker -- no one has a right to abuse them in any way.
Support, safety, security, and a sense of direction are all available.
Reaching out to grab on to that lifeline is the biggest ostacle.
Every woman, every man, every human being should have a zero tolerance policy for violence and every other form that abuse manifests itself as today.
That is certainly true EM. Some of the most important work we can do is to make sure that young girls learn selfesteem and to demand respect. And then the community must support them when they need.
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