More than 130 people attended Saving Our Sisters (SOS), a community forum on domestic violence, at the Missouri History Museum last night.
“This is a part of an ongoing commitment of the Missouri History Museum, to not only address the past, but address the present and look forward to the future with solutions,” said Alex Detrick, assistant director of community education and events at the Missouri History Museum.
The free event that was open to the public was hosted by the Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
The forum was led by panelists that included Sylvia Jackson, executive director of The Women’s Safe House. The Women’s Safe House is considered to be the first and largest domestic shelter in the City of St. Louis.
Moderator Laurna Godwin began the forum by posing this question to audience: “How many of you know the signs of domestic violence?”
Audience members shouted out “being withdrawn” and “isolation.” As the expert, Jackson said that those were really great answers. But, she also stated that domestic violence is based on feelings.
“If it doesn’t feel right then it’s probably not right,” Jackson said.
Shira Truitt, member of the Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Inc. said overall the event was a success.
“We really work hard to offer relevant programming to the community,”
Truitt said of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.
The forum was a part of Initiative Five, a social justice and human rights initiative. Lonita Rowland, member of the Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc., is chair of Initiative Five. According to
Truitt, also an Initiative Five volunteer, every national chapter is asked
to provide a forum aimed at social justice during the month of September.
SOS also featured a resource fair prior to the event.