The Pledge
“Become Inspired—you never know when someone will become inspired by your courage to make a difference.”
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I would like to honor the amazing life-saving work being done on behalf of women, teens, children and men who are experiencing violence in their relationships. All across the nation domestic violence advocates, volunteers, friends, families, co-workers, and individuals are extending their hearts and hands to help those in extraordinarily dangerous circumstances from someone who claims to love them. I continue to be inspired by the dedication and commitment to end violence in our communities.
I am writing this piece to encourage all of you to find your passion and inspiration! To encourage you to use it to keep making a difference in the world. Many are called to make a difference as I am in my daily work but I had help getting here. Her name is Rochelle and she is my sister. Rochelle has been my inspiration working to end violence against women for the last 25 years. Rochelle (pictured second from the left with sisters Chris, Laurie and myself) has overcome many obstacles, an abusive marriage for eight years, which at its most violent she once felt like taking her own life to get free of the situation. She endured economic poverty which had her working three jobs as a result of her husband’s choice to drag her through an extended legal battle and bankruptcy, all the while being a wonderful mother to a young daughter. She is a self confident, smart, amazing woman who has developed into the most perfect monarch. She went through the metamorphosis from victim to survivor to the whole beautiful woman she was and is meant to be. Her triumph over this tragedy continues to be my inspiration when I am tired or feel weary. My most proud moment was when she spoke of her personal story for the first time at the White House reception upon the 10th Anniversary of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. It took courage to leave her desperate situation then and she has pushed through her own challenges to now be courageous in helping other women in shelters and in her workplace to believe in their dreams and to reach their goals. I continue to be grateful for her being alive today to share her story with others and be my muse. I love you Rochelle, and I, like my other sisters, continue our pledge to end violence against women.
If someone inspires you, consider making a donation in their honor
Join me in sharing your story of inspiration
Join our online community working to end violence
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Peace,
Sheryl Cates
Chief Executive Officer
National Domestic Violence Hotline
This entry was posted on Thursday, October 1st, 2009 pm31 12:31 pm
Categories: Hotline News, share your voice
A horrific childhood of witnessing domestic violence being inflicted upon my mother by my father, 12 years of being abused in numerous foster homes and 2 abusive marriages never darkened my spirits. My mother was murdered by my father when I was 7 years old. The actions of one man destroyed my family, but it didn’t destroy the love that I received from my mother. I have learned that anything in life that doesn’t destroy you will definitely make you stronger. My father beat my mother to death with 2 witnesses standing less than 10 feet away and they did nothing to protect my mother. She was so disfigured that the embalmer had to rebuild her face with clay. I was only 7 years old and the sight of my mother at her funeral shocked me so terribly that I developed a speaking impairment…..all I could do was babble. After I was taken to the orphange, they hired a speech therapist who visited me everyday for a year or more to teach me how to speak again. Not I nor anyone ever envisioned that this little 7 year old girl who couldn’t speak clearly would someday be speaking to thousands of people. I always knew in my heart that I would someday find the answeres I desperately needed regarding my family and my mother’s murder. My quest and my mission began at the age of 54 when my youngest son turned 21. I sold my home, quit my job and left my family in Florida to returned to the place of my birth in Athens, TN to the neighborhood where I lived called Tin Can Holler. The spirit of my mother was calling me home to find the truth and I did. I now know that my destiny is to share my family story with everyone and warn them about the dangers of domestic violence and child abuse. Today I am an advocate speaker against domestic violence and child abuse. I am a spokesperson for CASA and the Holston United Methodist Home for Children in Greeneville, TN. I assist with fundraisers that support programs for the victims of domestic violence and child abuse. My favorite quote is from Martin Luther King, that I end all my speeches with, “The world begins to end the day we become silent about the things that matter”. I beg everyone to get involved….the men need to get involved too as this is not just a women’s issue anymore. It not only takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to keep them and their families safe.
Thank you and God Bless you all,
Rozetta Mowery, Author and Advocate Speaker Against Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
God Bless You! Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for having the courage to share your story. I would like to share my story…
I am a survivor of domestic captivity. I was a naive 19 year old girl when I was manipulated into the 10 year sadistic and severely abusive relationship, finally running for my life and escaping at 29.
Today, I am the President and CEO of a technology company. I have written an unbelievable, but true story which chronicles my spiritual and physical battle to escape my 10-year sentence as a domestic prisoner and celebrates my escape and rise through the corporate world achieving national recognition as the president and CEO of a corporation. From Prisoner to President is a shocking, yet inspirational, story of God’s miraculous touch in a seemingly hopeless situation.
20 years after escaping my prison, I felt compelled to write this story, to inspire, touch and ultimately impact lives.
I want to encourage anyone who reads this, that there is a chance for a normal life outside of the prison and shame of abuse. I have kept this deep secret of abuse buried and have not shared this in my life today. It is time for me to share my story.
I have experienced many traumatic events and have not just survived but thrived. I have achieved business success and personal happiness beyond my dreams. I have a burning desire to share my incredible tale with others who may encounter overwhelming circumstances and desperately need to overcome.
hi you have stregth i wish i had i have been with this man 3 years and my mind is messed up completely i moved out the other day when he was gone i miss him but he verbal abuse and away from my family so i want to move on i need help he was in jail for 14yrs for mueder and when i met him he told me about a month later he had killed his ex but i stayed he was real good to me but he just dont know how to talk to a woman because hes used to having woman on the street and not a real woman i wish i can get a job and move on and get him off my mind i need help
This post has been moved from another comment section on the NDVH website to this forum. Identifying information has been removed.
I need help . My two children are being abused by my ex husband. He abused me for years he broke my hands ,jaw he has strlker me. I have SLE lupus. This summer I found out he was sexal abusing them and hurting them. He got away with his abuse by telling people that I have bi polar I do not. I love my children. I have a great husband now he is in the Army and two children by him. They ask everyday where are they. I had a judge tell me I have to give my ex 10,000 to see my children. Everyone here in Kansas beleives my children . We don’t understand how he can keep getting away. I just want to hold them one more time and tell I’m sorry I told them to tell the truth and it cost all my family.Can you help us.