I’m taking a break my usual shtick to announce that I just accepted an invitation to sit on the Board of Directors (along with a phenomenal group of women) for a newly incorporated non-profit cause, Violence Unsilenced. Many people have given their own personal stories on VU, and many many others have commented. Still others have donated countless pro bono hours to bring Violence Unsilenced to this moment—the re-launch taking place today.
Writing humor is some of my favorite work, but I also believe passionately in the cause of giving voice to people’s experiences and connecting people with resources (as some of you might know by my social work background and my own project, Listen To Your Mother.) By reading others’ accounts we gain validation of our own experiences, survivors know they are not alone, and supporters of survivors expand their perspective. In short, I believe that sharing stories makes our world a better place, and I especially believe in the potential of Executive Director Maggie Ginsberg-Schutz to take this organization to a new level–expanding VU’s reach and improving domestic/interpersonal violence advocacy and awareness.
Many of you know Maggie from when she used to write on her amazing blog Okay Fine Dammit. While she no longer blogs, Maggie continues building her award-winning freelance journalism career in publications across the Midwest. Inspired by her interviews for a piece she did about domestic violence for Madison Magazine in 2008, Maggie started a website for survivors of interpersonal violence where they could share their stories anonymously and safely, and gain support from readers.
I’m closing comments here to encourage you to go over and congratulate Maggie on this huge milestone for Violence Unsilenced. While you’re there, take the pledge and grab a button. VU’s success is proof-positive that words matter in the blogosphere and resonate far beyond. Thank you for yours. Go use them to help someone else today.