December 10, 2009
Today is the International Day for Human Rights and I am most proud and excited to announce the launch of the third
annual Massachusetts White Ribbon Day and to invite you to be part
of this year’s campaign. This coming year we will have Massachusetts White Ribbon Day on
Tuesday March 2nd. And the White Ribbon Week of Proclamations will be the week of March 1st - 7th.
In the last two years, with your help, we recruited over 300 Ambassadors,
more than 17,000 pledges plus 55 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 many reasons why I am so excited about all of us taking
a pledge and putting on a white ribbon. We are declaring for ourselves
and for our children that we will no longer live in a world as dangerous
as ours without doing something about it. We are declaring that
we are joining together for a powerful and deep cause for justice.
I believe that change can start with a step as simple as putting
on the white ribbon. It’s a public statement that is visible to other
men and visible to women and to children. It sends a clear message
about what we tolerate and what we promote in terms of masculinity,
equality and human rights.
Please join as an Ambassador – and tell all your friends and colleagues –
to 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.
Please join as an Affiliate –
join with Jane Doe Inc. and this international effort by offering your
organization's resources to facilitate an observance for White Ribbon Day.
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
