Support survivors of domestic violence —wear a purple ribbon
The color purple represents the courage, survival, honor and dedication to ending domestic violence. It has a long history of being used as a symbol by women seeking justice. It was adopted, along with green and white, as the symbol of British suffrages in the early 1900s and was later adopted by American women seeking the right to vote. They wore purple ribbons and unfurled purple banners demanding equal treatment under the law.
The exact history of the origins of choice of purple as a color for domestic violence awareness is unclear. However, Lisa Bianco’s story is believed to be one explanation. Lisa left her abusive relationship in the 1980s and then began working in battered women’s program in her community. Although her batterer had been sent to jail, he obtained a temporary furlough. During this release, he crossed state lines, went to her home and killed her in the street in front of her neighbors. After her murder, her friends and family wore purple in her memory. In addition to the demonstration of support for survivors and advocates, the display of purple ribbons throughout a community conveys the powerful message that there is no place for domestic violence in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, or schools. Pick up a purple ribbon this month or make your own, and tell people why you’re wearing it.
Courtesy of: ywca.org topeka