YWCA and the Glendale Commission of the Status of Women held the 3rd Annual Purple Tie Awards on October 7, 2021, honoring men who are working to end domestic violence in our community. The 2021 honorees: Glendale City Church’s Pastor Todd Leonard, Glendale Police Department’s Sergeant Aaron Zeigler, and Good Morning Armenians’ Mher Baghdasaryan were recognized for their work in supporting survivors and building a culture committed to ending domestic violence. A powerful presentation of survivors’ journeys was made in English, Spanish, and Armenian, the first land acknowledgment on the steps of City Hall was made by Rev. Cassie McCarty, and touching tributes and remarks were made by Mayor Paula Devine, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Commission Chair Armine Perian, and Elen Asatryan. Our honorees offered words of inspiration and hope. A special commendation was presented to YWCA Director of Domestic Violence Programs and Operations, Elizabeth Sahagun, in recognition of her leadership in navigating the shadow pandemic of violence against women and ensuring that every survivor who reaches out to us is met with dignity, care and compassion. The awards program was followed by a lighting of City Hall in purple. The lighting will continue throughout the month of October as we continue to shine a light on the prevalence of domestic violence and the resources available to support survivors.
VIEW THE EVENT PHOTO ALBUM HERE
On October 22, 2020 YWCA Glendale and Pasadena, and the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women hosted the 2nd Annual Purple Tie Awards, recognizing men in our community who are working to end domestic violence: T.C. Kim, Jerome French, Sergeant Ernesto Gaxiola, and Father Vazken Movsesian. Casey Gwinn, founder of the Family Justice Center Model that co-locates wrap around services for survivors, served as the event’s keynote speaker on Reimagining Hope.
The event’s conversation format offered honorees the opportunity to dive deep into the issues of men’s leadership in ending violence against women, responding to domestic violence during COVID-19, the science of hope in the face of adversity, and understanding the multiple levels of trauma families face in times of war and displacement. Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital, Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Kathryn Barger, and Chief Carl Povilaitis and the Glendale Police Department sponsored the event. Funds raised from the virtual event supported YWCA Glendale and Pasadena‘s domestic violence programs and response to the increased demand for safe shelter and supportive services during COVID-19.
You can watch a recording of the event HERE
Thank you to our event sponsors:
Glendale Chief of Police Carl Povilaitis & the Glendale Police Department
2019 Take a Stand Candlelight Vigil and Purple Tie Awards
Our annual Candlelight Vigil honored victims of domestic violence and celebrated the voices of survivors, and Take a Stand To Make A Difference with our inaugural Purple Tie Awards highlighted men who work to support domestic violence survivors and who work toward the elimination of violence against women and families in Glendale.
Domestic Violence, sexual assault, and stalking are not just women’s issues, they are community issues and gender equality cannot be achieved without the involvement of men and boys. There is more work to do to further engage men; this work is critical to changing attitudes and beliefs that promote violence against women. Thank you for being a part of our efforts to create positive change.
2019 Purple Tie Honorees:
Law Enforcement Advocate - Sgt. Alex Krikorian, Glendale Police Department
Volunteer Advocate - James Maddox, MSW, ASW
Community Partner Advocate - Albert Hernandez, Executive Director, Family Promise of the Verdugos
More on DVAM:
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). YWCA Glendale and Pasadena recognizes this month through community convenings that uplift survivors, a candlelight vigil to honor those who have been lost to domestic violence, and through our Purple Tie Awards event, recognizing men who are working to end domestic violence.