The Sheila Wellstone Institute, with support from Verizon Wireless, sponsored the second annual Sheila Wellstone Award Ceremony on October 1 in the Russell Senate Building in Washington, D.C. The Sheila Wellstone Award, which honors individuals, organizations, and elected officials who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to safe and healthy homes and communities, is named for the late Sheila Wellstone, wife of Senator Paul Wellstone and longtime champion for the cause of ending domestic violence.
The recipient of this year's Sheila Wellstone Award is the National Network to End Domestic Violence Against Immigrant Women. Based in Washington, D.C. and founded in 1992, the network is a broad-based coalition of more than five hundred organizations and individuals that advocate, provide services, and offer assistance to immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking. The Network seeks to challenge and eliminate all forms of oppression and discrimination against immigrant women facing violence by empowering them to build better lives of their choice. The award was presented by Representative Betty McCollum, who champions legislation to protect immigrant women.
The October 1st ceremony continued Sheila Wellstone's tradition of bringing artwork to Washington that gives voice to the victims and survivors of domestic violence. In addition to a display of the Verizon Wireless and Free Arts Minnesota "Voices of Hope" quilt, several survivors of violence spoke and shared their stories.
Ann P., Rosana R., and Donna L. were participants in the Sheila Wellstone Institute's digital storytelling workshop earlier this year, which brought survivors together to tell their stories and record them, to be used to educate decision makers about the issues that are often a matter of life and death. After speaking at the event, the three women met with their representatives on Capitol Hill.
The Voices of Hope quilt, created by survivors from 13 shelters in Minnesota and North Dakota, will hang in the Capitol rotunda throughout October as a reminder to members of Congress of what "hope" means to the women and children looking towards a more positive future.
