IN THIS ISSUE: Get to know Joanna, our new Executive Director & President; see how women restaurateurs banded together during COVID-19 and raised funds for our work; ICYMI our 2021 Annual Report is here; meet Board Member Arny Patel; and more!
|
|
Dear Friends and Advocates,
Recy Taylor. Anita Hill. Tarana Burke.
During Black History Month and year-round, we honor Black survivors who spoke out against systemic forces of abuse.
But we don't have to go back in time or limit our list to famous changemakers to celebrate Black heroes. At Women Against Abuse, we have only to look inwards, to the Black clients and staff members who are creating change and hope each day. These women and men are overcoming incredible obstacles posed by racism and trauma as they work toward a better future. Until abuse is history, we will remain committed to removing barriers to safety, shelter and justice for Black survivors.
We hope you'll take a moment to read our winter eNewsletter. It contains a video conversation between myself and our Board Chair, Leslie Miller Greenspan; information about our upcoming Dish It Up fundraising event; a Q&A with Board Member Arny Patel, and more!
Thank you for being such a valued part of the Women Against Abuse community.
|
|
"When I think about how more than 45 years ago there were some great pioneers who said, 'No Mas. This is unacceptable. No more.' And really began a grassroots effort that we continue to build off of today. It just gives me a huge sense of responsibility to carry that baton forward and to be la voz - to be the voice of those who have no voice often times."
- Joanna Otero-Cruz, Executive Director and President
With COVID-19 making it difficult to gather together, we thought the next best thing would be to share this video conversation that features our new Executive Director and President, Joanna Otero-Cruz, and Board Chair Leslie Miller Greenspan.
|
|
“[Healing from trauma] looks different for everyone, but just being able to have genuine tools and compassion to say,
‘Hey, I see you, I hear you, and I'm not trying to fix you.
I literally just want to be here for you’
is the biggest thing ever.”
- Candace, therapist and child survivor
Our 2021 Annual Report will summarize our impact and focus over the past year, providing a glimpse into the inner workings of
Women Against Abuse during an unprecedented chapter in our more than 45-year history.
|
|
After so many months apart, we are thrilled to announce that we'll be holding Dish It Up - our annual fundraiser and women chef competition - in-person and outdoors, so that we can make the best and safest use of our fantastic event venue!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18TH, 2022
IN-PERSON AT LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD
- 5 pm - VIP Reception for Sponsors - INCLUDES STADIUM TOUR!
- 6 pm - Main Event
Dish It Up will follow all CDC guidelines, and guests will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination status.
|
|
Arny Patel is an engineer and strategic management consultant who has been a valued member of Women Against Abuse's Board of Directors since 2019. A University of Pennsylvania alum, Arny has created impactful strategies for Fortune 100 companies facing complex situations, and has directed diverse teams in the U.S., as well as Europe, India, China, and Latin America. She is currently the Operations Excellence Consultant at the Federal Reserve. Arny has in-depth experience serving on non-profit boards and actively volunteers in her community. She serves on Women Against Abuse's Nominations and Recruitment Committee.
What was your motivation for joining Women Against Abuse’s board?
|
|
I strongly believe in Women Against Abuse’s mission to end domestic violence through advocacy and community education. Women Against Abuse addresses this important issue with a passionate and focused attitude, broad perspective and strong leadership. The impact of domestic violence (DV) is wide and affects families, communities, economies, and education. Women Against Abuse uniquely tackles DV by providing an array of solutions such as safe havens, legal support, policy development, and community education. These services continue to be demanded as evidenced during the pandemic, which exposed DV and its impact to the community, especially to marginalized groups and people of color. The combination of the mission and impact continues to motivate me as a board member.
How do you hope to leverage your experience to strengthen Women Against Abuse and benefit the people we serve?
My career encompasses experience in many areas, including strategy, operations management, stakeholder engagement, and program management. I can leverage this experience by providing innovative problem solving, asking critical questions, building relationships, and viewing the organization from a broad perspective. Prior to becoming a board member, I advised on Web Chat (released in 2020), which was imperative during the pandemic. I also bring creative solutions from advising other non-profits in challenges such as funding strategies, marketing, relationship building, etc. Lastly, I will continue to engage my network to raise sorely needed funds, which will expand the number of people we can serve.
What type of impact do you hope to make on the Philadelphia community?
I want the Philadelphia community to be educated about the traumatic impact of DV and to collaborate together to end DV. How fantastic would it be for everyone to live in a safe environment where they can thrive! I will continue to advance Women Against Abuse’s mission and improve the lives of people who we serve through empathy and purpose. I look forward to seeing new and long-term Women Against Abuse supporters at Dish It Up, which is the best fundraising event that I have attended!
|
|
During some of the darkest days of the pandemic, an alliance of women restaurateurs and food entrepreneurs across Philadelphia formed with the purpose of supporting one another. The resulting Sisterly Love Collective hosted a "Sunday Supper" for Women Against Abuse in October 2021. With the support of renowned chefs, including Ellen Yin, Jennifer Carroll and many other members of the Les Dames d’Escoffier Philadelphia, they drew 200 guests and raised $25,000 for our life-saving services!
|
|
Can you tell our readers what inspired the Sisterly Love Collective Sunday Supper?
The Sisterly Love Sunday Supper came about because we wanted to collaborate with our friend, pastry chef and award-winning writer Lisa Donovan in celebration of the launch of her book Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger: A Memoir which touches on her history as a survivor of abuse. In looking at the local landscape of organizations that support women, Women Against Abuse was the top of our list reputationally and when we learned that October, when the event would take place, was Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we knew it was meant to be.
|
|
So, we had our co-host and our benefactor, and from there the rest fell into place. The Sisterly Love Collective is a group of women-owned hospitality businesses, so we knew there would be food and drinks involved in the event to showcase the incredible caliber of talent we work with. In the end, we landed on a happy hour representative of our food fairs as a seated dinner portion of the event — all to benefit Women Against Abuse while spotlighting the female culinary talent in our city.
|
|
Did you know that Women Against Abuse undergoes a collaborative process to produce our Public Policy Agenda? We gather input from client-facing and employee focus groups, ensuring that the voices of both survivors and advocates inform all of our policy work on the city, state, and federal levels.
|
|
Our Public Policy Agenda includes the following topline priorities:
- Adequate, equitable funding
- Safer communities
- Opportunities for economic empowerment
- Access to healthcare
- Prevention of future violence
These five priorities have shaped and will continue to inform Women Against Abuse’s policy and advocacy work. However, we need your help! As we look to refresh our agenda in the upcoming year, we want to know what YOU would like to see highlighted. Where do you think we should be focusing our attention on behalf of people experiencing domestic violence in Philadelphia this year?
If you have any feedback or thoughts on our Public Policy Agenda, please contact Policy Associate Whitney Brown at wbrown@womenagainstabuse.org.
You can also take action to support survivors and their families at our Take Action Center.
|
|
-
This sobering interview with KYW Newsradio highlights the alarming rise in the number of women killed in Philadelphia in 2021. Listen here.
-
We were proud to see Joanna featured among local Latino leaders who accomplished big things during the pandemic. Read the Philadelphia Inquirer article.
|
|
Click on the images below to link directly to the corresponding posts.
|
|
Did you receive this newsletter from a friend?
Subscribe to our email updates directly so you don't miss out!
|
|
Women Against Abuse does not discriminate on the basis of gender. To request a copy of our Title IX policy or to make a complaint, contact our Title IX Coordinator, the Vice President of Human Resources, at 215-386-1280. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
