Domestic violence Awareness and Advocacy

This was a busy week. Wednesday was Wear it Wednesday. My friend and sort of sister Michelle Littler, who is also a survivor, came up with the idea last year. People would wear or turn thier products purple to show support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

I decided that it was such an awesome idea, that I would ask my friends and the local businesses I frequent to Put On The Purple. And they did. I want to thank them all for the effort put forth to make Michelle’s dream expand beyond her wildest dreams.

There were purple bagels from New York Bagel and Deli on west 38th street. Beautiful Purple cupcakes for sale at Icing on the Lake. The Sea Wolves mascot Put On The Purple. Pano’s restuarant Put on The Purple. Joette from Elements, along with Scott and Bear from Roofers Local 210 decided to Wear it Wednesday. Then it was Brick House Coffee, Sassy Peacock, and Peacock Joe’s, and then Mickie Zada from Cool Retired Women’s Club and group Put on the Purple. Oswego Expeditions in Lake Placid, NY peddled 44 miles and put on the purple in honor and support of women.

Back here in Erie, came Tipsy Bean and purple hair, Give a Crep’e, Pointe Your’e Vintage Boutique, UPMC, Safe Harbor, Stairways Behavioral Health, and Agape Boutique all wearing it for Wednesday.

So many friends. My long time supporter Karen Danowski, and her friend Andi Penn. Amy Cook and her darling mini me daughter put on the purple for us. My friend the original Pam Anderson sent her purple love.

Then at 6 PM, I was the hostess for the Wednesday Night Poetry event at Artlore Studio, owned by the ever supportive Stephen Trohoske and Lena Logvina. That is where the video of me reading my poem October was taken at. There were some attendees wearing purple and poets reading from newly released books. Luke Kuzmish kept us laughing and holding back tears with Excerpts from My Name Does Not Belong To Me He was followed by Matt Borczon and some new works out of Cancel My Subscription to the Resurection.

The following night at 6 PM I attended Poetry Live! Chuck Joy, our Erie County Poet Laureate is the host at The Erie County Public Library. We were joined by several advocates from SafeNet our local women’s shelter. Patty and Robin read poems written by women who did not feel safe coming up to the mic. I read my October poem and two others from my book Subtle Shade of Bruise published by Alien Buddha Press.

It was after 7PM when I then sat down with Blaine Dessy of the Library. We had a very heartfelt interview about why I do what I do, or write what I write. When that video is made available It will be on my video page.

That was plenty for this week. Tonight I rest, and we will see where the purple will take me next.

Here are some of the ways purple was used to speak for those unable to speak up for themselves.