Will You Be a Brave Woman? Take a stand against domestic violence.

I haven’t even started this post and my eyes are filling with tears.  I’ve spent the evening stressed to the max,  moaning about my life and the responsibilities that come with raising a family.  The dishes need washed, little boy puked all over his bedding, then he pooped all over the next set of bedding, baby girl is teething, I can’t get five minutes to myself, I can’t even pee alone.  I have posts due.  This post.  Then, it hits me.  I have a post to write tonight, a post I’m writing in honor of a beautiful woman who never got the chance to have a family.

How petty can I really be?

Now the tears are really rolling down my face.

Two years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to write this post.  At that time, I lived in my little bubble where domestic violence was just something I saw in movies or heard about on the news every once in a while.  It certainly had no impact on my life.  It took the loss of my 28 year old cousin, Monica, to open my eyes.  It still cuts like a knife.  May 19, 2010 forever changed my life.

Did you know one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime?  That, my friends, is a heartbreaking statistic.  If you are currently that woman, please know that you are not alone and that there are people who want to help you.  There are people whose life mission is to help you and women like you.

I am proud to team up with BraveWoman.org to spread the word about this new site.  You’ll find resources to get help if you need it or ways to give if you are willing.

Since Monica died, I’ve worn a shirt with her face on the front and “STOP Domestic Violence” on the back at least once weekly.  It’s seems like a small thing, but I hope that if someone sees me wearing that shirt and they are in a dangerous situation, that they’ll reach out to me and let me help them.  I’ve donated to the cause, I’ve bought shirts, and I’ve written to my local representative.  I won’t stop.  I can’t stop.  I have to do these things for her.  I know that none of this will bring her back or heal my heart, but it makes me feel just a bit better to know that I am making certain that her death was not in vain.

What will you do today to be a Brave Woman?

In my next post, I will share specific ways that YOU can help.  If you have ideas to share, please do so in the comments.

I am a Brave Woman, because of her.  I only wish that she was here to see me take a stand against domestic violence.

You can find Brave Woman on Facebook and Twitter.

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias.  All thoughts and emotions expressed remain my own.