Help us honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month – what first began at a Day of Unity in 1981 has become a month-long call to action to raise awareness, to mourn those we have lost to domestic violence, and to advocate for survivors.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month was originally started by members of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, including Tillie Black Bear (Sicangu Lakota) who was also a founding member of the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC).
To kick-off a month full of advocacy and education, we are asking everyone to wear purple on October 1st to celebrate Tillie Black Bear “Women Are Sacred” Day!
Tillie Black Bear (Sicangu Lakota), Wa Wokiye Win (Woman Who Helps Everyone) gave hope and healing to generations of Native advocates and inspired allies by helping to lead the initial organizing of the Violence Against Women Movement on a national level. Considered a grandmother of the grassroots movement for the safety of Native women, Tillie stressed the importance of tribal cultures, stories and traditions to address violence in our communities.
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
Each week in the month of October members of our Gender-based Violence (GBV) team will be tabling in the lobby to provide more information about Domestic Violence, Gender-based Violence, and the services and resources available at Seattle Indian Health Board through our GBV Program.
Come visit us at the clinic, make a ribbon pin, and more!