"I am grateful to the Reveal volunteers at the NYC Makeover event. I understand they left family, friends or maybe it was a day off for them, but they were with us with enthusiasm and professionalism. I felt loved and special. My family was in shock about my new look and me too. I saw the picture and saw how changed I am- not only outside me, but inside I feel comfortable and secure. Really I felt like a Queen. Please give my thanks to these amazing people. They have humanity and compassion."

As a child I lived in a home filled with loud voices and all too often flared tempers. I thought that was part of being Italian-American and accepted it. These heated shouting matches often became violent ending with my father menacing my mother and leaving two small boys hiding in fear as she faced his rage.  I didn’t think my childhood was particularly singular but it was the TV reality of the family Stone on the Donna Reed Show, and later the perky smiling faces of the Brady Bunch that made me understand mine was in fact a different childhood. How could my father abuse my mother? How could I make it stop? 

Through talking to friends and my educational journey I learned the words domestic violence and understood their meaning and painful impact first hand.  I also understood that I did not want to carry this as my legacy.  As I got older I often intervened and stopped the abuse in the moment.  I made a choice to own the truth of my family. I wanted to be a force that would work towards stopping the cycle of abuse for others—those who remain in the shadows, voiceless and afraid.   

I have worked with and served on the Board of Safe Horizon for many years.  I was not content to sit at a table to plan strategies; I was also on the ground in schools and community centers educating, mentoring and serving communities of domestic and sexual abuse survivors.   In fact I helped cook and serve a holiday dinner for many years at a Community Center.   Each celebration ending with me dressed as Santa and handing out the only gifts many children would receive.  That level of emotional engagement humbled me.  It offered hope to those I served but their response brought hope to me.

For the last six years I work with Reveal Beauty and proud to be a part of volunteer run, 501(c) 3 organization that believes in empowerment and hope for women who have survived domestic violence and sexual abuse.  We work in NYC and Austin TX with agency shelters offering specially created programs and workshops.  The goals of these initiatives are to restore and strengthen confidence and foster a sense of self-worth and well-being to women who eagerly look ahead as they begin or resume their lives.  The follow-up to the workshops and programs is our Annual Make-Over event which celebrates DV survivors through a day dedicated to them.  Each guest is pampered through our various stations, served lunch, allowed a complete outfit to take with them as well as a goodie-bag at the end of day.  The vibe of this event lasts well past the day and leaves our guests feeling empowered and confident.  It is our goal to bring our message of hope across America with a presence in major cities.

I am humbled by the passion and dedication of my colleagues in REVEAL Beauty, many are donating the little precious time they are able share after working full time as well dealing with the obligations of  friends and family.  They inspire me and have shown there is power in each of us to create change.

You too can be a part of Reveal Beauty.  Visit our website  www.revealbeauty.org  

Engage in our Silent Online Auction, make a tax-deductible contribution or become a REVEAL Beauty Volunteer.  

Find your own voice and lend it to those who need to be heard.  I did.