Help paint the town purple

NEWS RELEASE

FREEDOM SISTERS

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The purpose of Freedom Sisters Sault Ste. Marie is to create awareness of violence against women; educate all people in the community about violence against women from the survivor perspective and to help women become empowered.

Freedom Sisters meet monthly to plan community events and are currently getting ready to launch Shine the Light, this is an annual campaign that began in 2010 in London Ontario.

The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness of men’s violence against women by turning cities, regions and counties purple from November 25 until December 10.

We will stand in solidarity with abused women and support them in understanding that any shame and/or blame they may feel does not belong to them but to the perpetrators of their abuse; and to raise the profile of the community agencies that can provide abused women with help as they attempt to live their lives free from violence and abuse. 

Purple is a symbol of courage, survival and honour, and has come to symbolize the fight to end woman abuse.  (http://lawc.on.ca/shinethelight/)

With the support of the Algoma Council on Domestic Violence and other community agencies Freedom Sisters will be turning the city purple for the 16 days of action (November 25 - December 10) to end violence against women.

We are encouraging residents, businesses, organizations, and community groups to make purple a part of their displays for the month.

On Thursday, November 20 from 12 noon until 9 p.m. we are taking part in the End the Silence art exhibit hosted by Algoma Family Services.

On Saturday, November 22 we will be at Station Mall for the day.

On Monday, November 24 we will be taking part in Women in Crisis’ VAW Candlelight Vigil at the Summit from 6:30 p.m.- 8 p.m. in honour of the National Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women (November 25).

At all of these events Freedom Sisters will have purple lights available by donation and wrapped in courage scarves for purchase.

All the sales from these scarves will go to services here in Sault Ste. Marie that directly support ending violence against women.

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