San Francisco Police receive 20-50 domestic abuse calls EVERY DAY
Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States
Twenty percent of pregnant women are battered
These are some of the startling facts that 250 attendees learned at the Partners Ending Domestic Abuse Spring into Action Gala held at San Francisco's Four Seasons Hotel on May 1st.
Partners Ending Domestic Abuse (PEDA) was founded by Roselyne C. Swig in 1992. In addition to raising public awareness, PEDA raises funds to support the San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium. The Consortium offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling services, and legal assistance to San Francisco women (and children) living with domestic violence.
(Pictured: Tiffany Shlain and Roselyne C. Swig)
It was a packed event with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, awards, and plenty of schmoozing. But by far the highlight of the evening was the conversation with two major forces in local women's media: actress/producer and San Francisco's First Lady, Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Webby Awards founder/filmmaker Tiffany Shlain.
Vivacious local broadcast journalist Jan Yanehiro was our MC for the evening, leading the discussion titled Socially Conscious Women in Media. Coincidentally, both Ms. Shlain and Ms. Siebel Newsom are pregnant. Due any minute, Ms. Shlain donned a simple long black gown and joked that a good question could push her into labor right then and there.
(Pictured left to right: Jan Yanehiro, Tiffany shlain, Jennifer Siebel Newsom)
When asked how the media might be used as a tool to help end domestic abuse Ms. Shlain said, "Media can educate people on their rights as well as show empowered women as role models."
Ms. Siebel Newsom, not due until September, went casual-chic for the evening in a pair of black slacks, a black t-neck, and a sharp reddish orange long jacket with three-quarter length sleeves. She commented that there's a lack of media responsibility. "We need more conscientious men and women in decision making positions and we need to call out those who are being irresponsible and disrespectful."
Clips were shown from Ms. Shlain's new film, Connected and Ms. Siebel Newsom's film Miss Representation, which she produced through her organization Girls Club Entertainment.
In addition to the discussion, San Francisco Board of Supervisors President David Chiu addressed the crowd, and Beckie Masaki, Executive Director of the Asian Woman's Shelter, was awarded the Cissie Swig Award.
Congratulations to one and all, and thanks PEDA for all your great work!
Photos by Drew Altizer
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