The Nashville Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) hosted its 20th anniversary ‘Meet Us at the Bridge’ event on October 5, at the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Family members and the domestic violence advocacy community honored the lives of 11 women and men killed in an act of domestic violence this year in Nashville. Purple roses were dropped from the bridge into the Cumberland River, marking a solemn remembrance of the victims. Since its inception in 2005, 191 women, men, and children have been honored at the annual event.
‘Meet Us at the Bridge’ also serves as the official kick-off for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Nashville and recognizes individuals and groups who have made significant contributions in the fight to end domestic violence. Award recipients for the 2024 event include the following for Outstanding Services Provider: YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee’s Weaver Domestic Violence Center (Daffany Baker, Sandra Dominquez, and Tara Morgan); Outstanding Law Enforcement Official: Metro Nashville Police Department Inspector Rita Brockmann Baker; Outstanding Government Official: Metro Nashville Council Member Brenda Gadd; Innovative Domestic Violence Program: FIP’s Male Survivors of Domestic Violence Group; and Survivor of the Year: Michelle McCullough of the Mary Parish Center. These honorees exemplify the courage, commitment, and compassion necessary to bring hope and support to survivors in Nashville and beyond.
“For two decades, ‘Meet Us at the Bridge’ has stood as a powerful reminder of both loss and resilience,” said Tina Fox, president of NCADV. “It reflects our promise to honor those who have tragically lost their lives to domestic violence, while also recognizing the countless individuals and organizations that dedicate themselves to saving others. We want the Nashville community to know that each of us remains unwavering in our commitment to supporting families and working toward a future free from intimate partner violence.”
Numerous community and political leaders attended the early morning event, including Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, Vice Mayor Angie Henderson, and Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake. Tennessee consistently ranks among the top 10 states for the number of women killed by men, and one in four women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime. Metro Nashville Police Department responds to approximately 26,000 domestic violence calls annually.
NCADV is a coalition of local organizations and individuals working to prevent and intervene in domestic violence cases. Member organizations include Agape Morning Star Sanctuary; Davidson County District Attorney’s Office; Infinite Possibilities; Legal Aid Society of Middle Tenn. and the Cumberlands; Mary Parrish Center; Metro Nashville Office of Family Safety; Metro Nashville Police Department; Strings of Hope; Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence; You Have the Power; and YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee.
