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National Advisory Board Commits to Raising Awareness and Resources for NDVH
In a time when our nation faces many challenges, 92% of women in the
United States say addressing domestic violence and sexual assault should
be the top priority of any formal efforts taken by our leaders on behalf
of women today, ranking the issue of abuse higher than equal pay, childcare
and women’s healthcare (Center for the Advancement of Women, 2003).
This statistic speaks volumes. Abusive relationships wreak havoc on
lives and women want leaders to address this issue now. At the National
Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH), we continue our commitment to answering
this call for help by creating the NDVH Advisory Board, consisting of
eleven prominent national leaders who are committed to raising awareness
and the resources necessary to ensure that the Hotline’s lifesaving
work continues.
On May 12, at a morning reception in Washington D.C., the NDVH Advisory
Board was officially announced. “The National Advisory Board will
be a voice and presence for the Hotline through public and private outreach,
ensuring that every victim of abuse is provided a vital link to help,”
said NDVH CEO Sheryl Cates. Dede Bartlett, Board Chair,
spoke at the morning reception on behalf of the Advisory Board.
“NDVH could not do their lifesaving work without three critical
elements,” stated Bartlett, “a core of dedicated personnel,
a committed staff and a steadfast group of national leaders who believe
in the Hotline.” Bartlett is a leading international figure on
domestic violence and its effects in the workplace. Advisory Board members
include Thomas Collamore, Monica Getz, Monica Graham,
Irene Natividad, Jane Randel, Eunice Salton, Gary Schwartz, Dede Bartlett,
David Diggs and Meredith Wagner.
At the morning event, 100 advocates and community members joined together
for the first annual NDVH Awards Ceremony to honor the efforts of leaders
who have used their resources and influence to empower the domestic
violence movement. Altria Group Inc. was recognized with the NDVH Vital
Link Award for their support and contribution of over $1 million to
the Hotline. Thomas Collamore, Vice President of Corporate Affairs Programs
at Altria Group Inc., serves as one of the new NDVH Advisory Board members.
Also recognized during the event were NBC’s Crime & Punishment
Series and its Creator/Executive Producer, Bill Guttentag, who received
the Media for Change Award for featuring several domestic violence shows
and Grammy Award winning vocalist and activist, Michael Bolton, who
was honored with the Voices for Change Award. Senators Joseph R. Biden
(D-DE) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) were present to show their support.
The launch of the NDVH Advisory Board is a part of ongoing efforts to
heighten public awareness on the tragic impact of abuse. “Abuse,
which is often accompanied by silence, is killing our friends, family
members and co-workers,” stated Cates. “We are working to
break this silence and other barriers so victims can get help.
Increasing community support and involvement is a crucial step towards
creating a societal shift. If our message to end abuse is going to be
effective in the long-term, communities must play a role.”
The Advisory Board will soon meet to discuss a strategic plan for the
future of NDVH.
Advisory Board Members
Dede Bartlett,
President,
New York
Carol Bass
New York
Ed Condon,
Chicago, IL
Anne Crews,
Addison, TX
David Diggs,
Washington, DC
Monica Getz,
New York
Monica Graham,
New York
Howard R. Greene,
New York
Rose M. Kirk
Basking Ridge, NJ
Maury S. Lane
Memphis, TN
Regina T. Montoya,
Washington DC
Irene Natividad,
Washington DC
Ella Newman,
New York
Jane Randel,
New York
Barbara Roberts,
New York
Gary Schwartz,
New York
Susan Slater-Jansen
White Plains, NY
Meredith Wagner,
New York