February 13, 2009
MA White Ribbon Day 2009 has been a great success. Our current count of Ambassadors in MA between last year and this year has topped 300, over thirty local events have been organized throughout the Commonwealth, and thousands of men and boys have taken the pledge to be part of the solution in ending violence against women.
In my remarks during the February 12th press conference with Governor
Deval Patrick, I talked about how the MA White Ribbon Day Campaign
has opened a new chapter in the wider work for making peace and
men ending men's violence against women. And we are doing so by
matching the need to take responsibility as men with the need to
celebrate those men who hold to the highest standards of manhood,
for respect and safety.
(To
read my full remarks, click here.)
I am often asked if and how a simple white ribbon can accomplish all of this. My answer is that symbols are powerful in the values and messages that they promote. The ribbon is also a conversation starter and a personal reminder of the pledge we took for ourselves, the people we care about, our community and our world.
Thank you all for your interest in this work. I welcome you to learn more about the MA White Ribbon Day Campaign and Jane Doe Inc.’s work to assure the right of every survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence to safety, justice and healing.
Together, we can end men’s violence against women and make the
world a safer place for us all.
January 15, 2009
I am so proud and excited to announce the launch of the second annual White Ribbon Day Massachusetts and to invite you to be part of this year’s campaign.
Last year with your help, we recruited 250 Ambassadors, 17,000 pledges plus 49 affiliates. From legislative accomplishments and funding increases to additional support for local sexual assault and domestic violence programs, the positive impact of this effort was undeniable.
There are other reasons why I get so excited about a bunch of guys taking a pledge and putting on a white ribbon. Because I don’t want my son to be in a world as dangerous as ours without doing something about it. Because I don’t want to keep reading news accounts about another domestic violence homicide. Because I can’t deny the long-lasting impact of sexual assault on both men and women.
I believe that change can start with a step as simple as putting on the white ribbon. It’s a public step that is visible to women and children and visible to other men. It sends a clear message about what we tolerate and what we promote in terms of equality and human rights.
Please sign up – and tell all your friends and colleagues – and join me and this international effort in sending a very public message that men must and are taking responsibility to end men’s violence against women and to create an environment that promotes respect and equality.
For more information about the Men’s Initiative for Jane Doe Inc.
and all the exciting efforts under way in communities throughout
Massachusetts, please visit:
Community news: http://www.mijd.org/news
Calendar: http://www.mijd.org/calendar
and Photo Gallery: http://www.mijd.org/gallery
