Last fall, the news was full of stories about Ray Rice and Janay Palmer. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten those hard-to-watch images of Ray’s elevator abuse toward his then-fiancée. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten the way Janay Palmer was talked down to and questioned for her choices, the way she was victimized again by strangers…
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Finding Hope in Vulnerability
In The Past Year
Being the only man on staff at an organization named A Woman’s Place (AWP) can be a fascinating experience at times. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I’ll get right back to that, but it is also my first anniversary at AWP. So I want to reflect on that briefly. Hmm. I’d best pause…
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Healthy vs. Unhealthy
Social media can be a very harmful place when it comes to controversial videos. One video in particular shows an 18 year-old girl, Romina Garcia, saying, ”If your boyfriend hits you or beats you up, stay with him. He loves you, because he’s risking for you to press charges on him, calling the police —…
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A Month Ago
A month ago, the Ray Rice video was dominating headlines. Now it seems that incident was just the trickle before the flood. There have been so many high profile reports about professional athletes and domestic violence in the news lately that it’s challenging to follow it. Frankly, I’m not really trying. What motivates me are…
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Tell ‘Em White House – 1 is 2 Many
As we near the close of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I implore you – continue to take action. Please don’t wait for next October. Remember today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and throughout the year. We must remain vigilant and we must stand together. As the White House says, 1 is 2 Many. Today marks…
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Stories Written and Bravely Shared
As I walked behind a group of women last night following an evening of writing that ended with meditation, hugs, and well wishes for the week, I thought, wow, what an incredible group of women to be amongst. These are no ordinary women; these are women who are in a writing group offered by A Woman’s…
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Why I Keep Vigil
Remarks from Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil, October 2014 I sat across from my dear friend in a diner over pancakes and coffee. I trust her. She and I have laughed together, cried together, challenged each other, have had painfully honest conversations, and shared secrets and beliefs that others might fine crazy. I’m happy to be…
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What if?
Eight women sit around a table. Three laugh about something that happened earlier in the day. Two are stirring cups of chocolate milk, chatting like old friends. Another appears lost in thought, quietly looking down at her lap. I rifle through my binder while the woman to my right takes a sip from her water…
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Domestic Violence Action
It’s October… and that means it’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month! If I’m brutally honest, it’s early in the month and I’m feeling a little fatigued. For those of us in this line of work, this our month. It’s time to capture the attention of the people, inspire the public to embrace the cause, cover the…
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