Friday, August 28, 2009

REDBOOK September Issue Features Liz Claiborne and MADE Coalition

The September issue of REDBOOK Magazine just hit news stands with a feature article on Liz Claiborne Inc.’s MADE Coalition.

“How REDBOOK, Liz Claiborne, and YOU are putting an end to dating violence” features several of the most active MADE members including MADE co-founders Ann and Chris Burke, Carolyn Murray, Kim Davidson, Stephanie Piston, Cheri Rivard-Lentz and Michele Bullock.

This article raises vital awareness on the issue, highlights MADE’s achievements, and provides readers with the information and resources they need to protect themselves and their children.

Kudos to Stacy Morrison, REDBOOK’s Editor-In-Chief, who is a founding member of MADE and one of its strongest supporters. Check out a copy of September’s REDBOOK for yourself!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Article On Domestic Violence and the Workplace Receives "Best Article of 2008" from Academy of Management Perspectives

The journal article, Coming Into the Light, was recently recognized as the best article in the Academy of Management Perspectives for 2008.

CAEPV members Jane Randel (Liz Claiborne Inc.) and Anne O’Leary-Kelly and Carol Reeves (Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas) were co-authors on this article.

For anyone unfamiliar with this particular field of study, this is a significant recognition and should encourage other academics to take note of intimate partner violence in the workplace.

It is a great article in not only does it outline the problem - but it points to solutions. It is definitely worth a read!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Three Poems: One Survivor


An amazing woman wrote these three poems in the process of surviving and healing from domestic violence. I am honored to share her incredible journey here.

Poem 1: 'What It Means To Be A Victim
I am the beast

Which you have lain upon the alter

An offering to an angry God

I am the one

Chosen for purity's sake

Whose throat will be slit

As my blood spills out

Ask yourself

Have you come closer to God?

Is God now happy?

As my blood runs down the street

Ask yourself

Can we now find peace?

Or must we come back to this alter?

Again and again

I am the one

That sacrificial beast


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Poem 2: 'What It means To be A Survivor'
I have outlived

I have outlasted

I have remained alive

I am still here

As the waters recede

As the flames diminish

As the tremors subside

I am still here

Above the fray

Above all else

To rise like a phoenix

Above and beyond

Beyond belief

Beyond understanding

Beyond a reasonable doubt

Beyond your reach

I am still here

I have outlived

I have outlasted

I have remained alive


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Poem 3: 'What It Means To Heal'
Hello

I'm back

Again

From that secret place

Curled up

Afraid

No terrified

Hidden in the dark

Watching

Waiting

Wondering

Will I ever be safe?

Shhhhh!

Don't breathe

Not a sound

Don't let him hear you

Just the pounding of my heart

Beat by beat

Pumping

Life

Slowly

The rhythm

Brings forth a song

Music

Oh, I want to dance

To sing

To move

These numb limbs of mine

I stir

I stretch

Release

Breathe

Tingling

I begin to move

To sway

To lift up my voice

What beauty

Is that really me?

Singing

Laughing

Unabashed

Uninhibited

Unafraid

So unlike before

So I dance

I sing

I love

Back again

08/06/09

Dedicated to Betsy

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Wedding Video Now A Tool To Fight Domestic Violence

Have you seen the dancing newlyweds? Chances are good you have because their YouTube wedding procession video has been a viral hit.

Well, they are using their global fame to raise money to combat domestic violence. And it's no accident that Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz chose that cause. The video's music comes from Chris Brown, the R&B vocalist and convicted domestic abuser of fellow singing-star Rihanna.

Peterson and Heinz explain on their new Web site, http://www.jkweddingdance.com/, "We have been through a lot in life, but have come through each experience stronger and more in love with each other. Our experience since we posted the video has been incredible. We would never have expected this response to our wedding entrance in a million years. We hope to direct this positivity to a good cause. Due to the circumstances surrounding the song in our wedding video, we have chosen the Sheila Wellstone Institute." Peterson and Heinz note that "Sheila Wellstone was an advocate, organizer, and national champion in the effort to end domestic violence in our communities."

Wellstone officials recently reported that the video had inspired 100 people to donate more than $3,000.

The song in the video, "Forever," also has collected a surge in digital downloads of the hit since the wedding video went live July 19. Nielsen reports that digital downloads for the song went from fewer than 3,000 for the week ending July 19 to 50,000 for the week ending July 26, even though "Forever" was released in 2008.

The couple's video from the June 20 wedding at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul has collected more than 13 million views. It also includes an ad for downloading the song.

I think that's a pretty cool way to make something positive and uplifting and meaningful out of this Chris Brown/Rihanna situation. . . although I understand that not everyone who sees the video gets the point of them using this music. And I get that too. But above all I wish them a wonderful, long, safe, secure, and healthy married life. And may they always dance.