Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc. culminated Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a national effort to promote awareness and prevention of domestic violence in all its forms, with its 3rd Annual Women’s Empowerment Forum on Thursday, October 24 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Presented by JM Family Enterprises, Inc./Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC, The Sunshine Lady Foundation, Inc., Ultimate Software, and Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company, the invitation-only event hosted by Women In Distress Board of Trustees featured award-winning Chef and TV Personality Michelle Bernstein; Bonnie Clearwater, Director and Chief Curator of Nova Southeastern University’s Art Museum, Fort Lauderdale; and Moderator Dr. Susan S. Fiorito, of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University discussing how they conquered the myth of the glass ceiling.
In addition to providing thought-provoking discussion on women’s issues, supporter Angela Kelsey, from the Kelsey Group, highlighted the Women In Distress Economic Development Program along with welcoming to the stage a domestic violence survivor who is now a thriving entrepreneur. The event raised more than $96,000, which will help provide free emergency safe shelter and critical services to women, children, and men who are fleeing abusive homes.
“Our Women’s Empowerment Forum is a great opportunity to explore women’s issues, and how those issues intersect with domestic violence,” said Mary Riedel, President and CEO of Women In Distress. “It was a charismatic and magnetic evening with 150 community partners and guests supporting the critical, life-saving services in place for domestic violence survivors and their children.”
Click here to view the photo gallery of the event.
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