BOSTON, MA – As the sound of DJ WhySham echoed through the Para Maria patio onto the cobblestone corridor on the harbor walk, one look told all passing by there was much to celebrate – thirteen reasons, in fact.
Celebrating thirteen years since their 2010 inception, leadership behind the Massachusetts Women of Color Network have dedicated their time to support women of color working in the sexual assault and domestic violence movements across the state. “We want to have a space where women of color feel held; feel supported. And we’ve been doing that ever since,” explains Executive Director Kishana Smith.
The red carpet waterfront celebration featuring Spark FM hosts Tayla & Danielle, music by DJ WhySham and a line nearly out the door to try light bites from Zaz Kitchen (try the chicken jerk wrap!) made for a memorable evening paying tribute to those who bring comfort and support to victims of domestic violence.
What’s the vibe: Dress to impress for an evening dancing the night away on the Boston waterfront enjoying light bites from Zaz Kitchen.
“It brings about a sense of community. It makes people know that they’re not the only one,” says Danielle Johnson, CEO & Founder of SparkFM Online.
For those on the front lines supporting victims and their families, the mental impact from the nature of their work can often be difficult to process. “We are often met by not enough resources. Often met by having to tell a survivor, ‘There’s not a bed tonight. And I’m not sure what this means for you and your child that’s a newborn’.” According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1,857 adult & child survivors of domestic violence were served in a single day in the state of Massachusetts alone. An additional 441 requests for services went unmet that day due to lack of resources. “There are so many things that happen on the ground and Mass Women of Color get the chance to say, ‘We see your incredible work, and we want to honor you.‘ and that’s what keeps us alive.”
Among the nominees were Ayanna Pressley, Andrea Campbell, Nicole Hunt, Director of Transitional Living Programs at The Second Step Nikia Bodden, Executive Director of the Anchor’d Inc Foundation Shabranae Patton, and Director of Equity and Justice at Transition House Shameka Gregory.
While services for domestic violence are offered statewide, Smith says they are not universally able to support all who come forward. “We focus on survivors of color. That’s meaningful because although there are services across the state for domestic & sexual violence survivors, they are not always culturally specific. So we have heard from women of color who have gone to mainstream organizations who have been not treated well and have been harmed,” says Smith.
Shining a light on the harsh reality of domestic violence happening daily-many times, closer to home than we think. In 2019, the NCADV reported 28 domestic violence homicides in the state of Massachusetts. “It’s happening in homes on your streets. Just last month, we lost someone in Fall River. This is news we hear all the time-what I want us to think of is that’s not just another name; not just another woman. That could have been your sister, your mom, your aunt, that experienced abuse and didn’t get the help and support that they needed. Our services are important, our services are a huge need because it’s happening.”
To learn more about or make a donation to the Massachusetts Women of Color Network, visit https://mawocn.com/.
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Emmalyn Reid 