More than 600 friends and supporters of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee shopped and sipped for a good cause during the eighth annual Wine Women & Shoes on Feb. 22 at the Music City Center. The event was presented by Regions, and proceeds support the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Services programs, including the Weaver Domestic Violence Center, the 24-Hour Crisis & Support Helpline, and Re-New at the YWCA.
Hundreds of the Nashville’s most fashion-forward women and men enjoyed an afternoon of wine tastings from some of the country’s top vintners, exclusive shopping from local and national vendors, and an exciting live and silent auction. News Channel 5 anchor Vicki Yates was this year’s emcee, and the event was co-chaired by Lucia Folk, Cameron Simmons, and Laquita Stribling.
“Wine Women & Shoes is a celebration of women supporting women,” said Sharon K. Roberson, YWCA president/CEO. “Domestic violence impacts one in four women, and it does not discriminate on race, gender, socioeconomic status. Wine Women & Shoes offers us the unique opportunity to educate and empower women so we can break the cycle of abuse and make Nashville the safest city in the nation for women and girls. Without this critical funding from this event, the YWCA would not be able to continue to support these women and children.”
The event’s mission moment spotlighted the partnership between the Metro Nashville Police Department and YWCA and how the Lethality Assessment Program is saving lives. Attendees donated more than $125,000 in the ten minutes following the video presentation. In total, more than $400,000 was raised during the four-hour event.
The YWCA is the largest provider of domestic violence services in the Middle Tennessee region. Programs include the Weaver Domestic Violence Center, a 65-bed facility in Davidson County. Last year alone, the YWCA’s services provided nearly 17,000 nights of emergency shelter to 550 women and children fleeing abusive homes. The Weaver Center also houses a crisis and information hotline that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week answering more than 5,000 calls each year. That number is 1-800-334-4628.
To learn more about the YWCA’s mission or to get involved, visit <ywcanashville.com>.
