Stop the Violence against Women in the Valley

                                             Domestic Violence Awareness Month
                                            Liz Dance Studio and Namaste Valley Hosted an
                                            Empowerment Luncheon Speaking out against Domestic 
                                            Violence at Ringold Pavillion Park in Brownsville. 
                                            Liz Dance Studio also hosted a Zumbathon raising money 
                                            for Domestic Violence and Womens Shelters in Mcallen at 
                                            Ice House Club.




I know too much about violence against women I grew up next to a Mujeres Unidas Shelter home downtown Pharr Texas.– As a child I watched in terror as my mother was abused by an angry and unhappy man who could not control his emotions, nor his hands. Many people in our community knew what was happening – but no one did anything about it.

As a child witnessing violence, I could not help feeling responsible for the pain, the screaming, and the misery. It is difficult to escape these feelings as an adult; they stay with you.

That is why today I am part of Amnesty International and I continue to write letters to our Congressmen and State Representatives.

Amnesty was instrumental in the passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 - signed into law by President Obama in July. This law begins to reverse the alarming rate of sexual violence against Native American and Alaska Native women. Survivors of sexual assault finally stand a real chance of getting a police response, a rape kit and the opportunity to see their case prosecuted.

I am immensely proud of all that Amnesty has achieved in its remarkable 50-year history. It is our duty to carry on this life-saving work. We must shine this light to the future, until human rights are a reality for everyone. I urge everyone to get involved with your local Womens Shelter group volunteer and reach out to someone you know needs help. Increase the Peace~