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Congresswoman Moore and Lt. Gov. Lawton (second and third from the left) with LA Congresswoman Hilda Solis (far left) and Josie Ashton (far right)
The Bride’s Walk
Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton join hundreds of women at the Milwaukee Mujeres against domestic violence’s Bride’s walk and speak out
I-Witness/WKND exclusive by Barbara White
Dum, Dum, Dum, Here comes the bride, Here comes the bride, Here comes the bride, Here comes the bride...
More than 50 women dressed in wedding dresses marched in the streets to call attention to domestic abuse and violence against women.
The Milwaukee Mujeres Against Domestic Violence Bride's Walk and Speak Out was hosted by the UMOS Latina Resource Center (LRC), Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West and Congresswoman Gwen Moore who is a strong advocate for women's rights.
The LRC is to encourage women and their families to explore their personal strengths, hopes and achieve a life free of violence.
On September 26, 1999, Gladys Ricart, a Latina was brutally murdered in her wedding gown on her wedding day. She was killed by a former abusive partner with whom she had a seven year relationship. It was stated that he was unable to accept that the relationship was over, even after Gladys planned to be married.
Women of all walks of life participated in the speak out including Congresswoman Hilda Solis, the first Latina woman in Congress representing Los Angeles, California, who is co-chair to the Women's Caucus in Congress. State of Wisconsin Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton, Brenda Bell-White, Supervisor Toni Clark, Milwaukee Court Commissioner Anna Berrious, LRC Director Mariana Rodriquez and keynote speaker Josie Ashton also participated.
Ashton, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and started the Brides March, is originally from the Dominican Republic. She migrated to the US as a child, graduated from the Florida International University with a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice. She was exposed early to domestic violence. Her mother was abused by her live-in boyfriend. She, at 17, dated an abuser who battered her for over a year before family and friends stepped in to help her break the violent cycle.
She later worked for the Domestic Violence Unit of the Miami State Attorney's Office as well as the Florida Attorney General's Office. After hearing of Gladys' death on her wedding day, she quit her job and began a 1,300-mile walk from New Jersey to Miami in her wedding dress to raise awareness about domestic abuse in the Latina Community.
"Domestic violence is such an aggressive thing that it needs an aggressive response. Many say victims bring it on themselves. Gladys wanted out and her ex-boyfriend refused to allow her to be. No one deserves that," Ashton said. "The 'Walk' was a vision I received. Gladys was murdered. We do not have to tolerate domestic abuse. Every year, now women all over the world are holding Bride's Walks to speak out against violence against women."
Congresswoman Moore states: "violence occurs in our community every day in all walks of life." In Moore's first term in Congress provisions from legislation she introduced the "Shield Act," which was signed into law during the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
Supervisor Peggy West states: "No one wants to talk about 70% of abuse happens in marriages. We must recognize marriage is a partnership not an ownership. The power here today can change the culture that has under valued us. (Women) Latina women have a double wedge violence against women is an economic issue, a medical issue and an issue of under employment along with the threat of immigration issues."
Lt. Gov. Lawton says: "I am proud to be part of this. This resource center speaks to how we value women in this country. In Wisconsin, there have been 43 deaths due to domestic violence." She then presented LRC with a proclamation.
A survivor named Maria spoke in Spanish of her abuse. While I-Witness does not speak Spanish, I could intuitively feel and understand some of what she was saying. The smile of peace on her face showed us all that she was free now.
Sherry Scott, whose daughter Maria Coppersmith was slain by her husband who later killed himself in front of their children, spoke of the damage to the whole family when this kind of violence occurs. Siting the leading cause of death for pregnant women is domestic violence. He did horrible things to her and the family.
Scott said that after her son in-law finally killed her daughter and then himself, their 9-year-old son dressed his 5-year-old sister and walked more than two-miles to seek help, and to tell someone that their dad was dead and that he thought his mother was dead also.
"It's the small things (that) you must be aware of--the verbal abuse, the looks," Scott said.
She then recited the poem "I Got flowers" it was of a woman whose guy would beat her and then send her flowers to say I'm sorry, he finally beat her to death.
LRC Director Rodriquez stated, "We are a center making social change.
"Violence in our family is never acceptable and we must all be responsible in ending it. These women here today are champions.
"Josie and the others are making women important; this is historic."
Ashton states: "we have now passed the word to Congress, governors, we have to keep putting it everywhere that domestic violence is unacceptable."
She then brought it home when she thanked her husband Adrian who she calls her best friend.
"He inspires my dreams and his love and commitment exemplifies the fact that the speak outs against domestic violence movement also needs men to combat this heinous epidemic," she said.
A beautiful wedding float contained many of the guest speakers who rode in their wedding gowns.
As several dozens women all dressed in white wedding gowns wearing a page from the "Daily News" in New York attached to the front and backs of their gowns, read "Bride Shot Dead" Ex-boyfriend allegedly kills NJ woman while the groom waited at a Queen's altar.
As the gorgeous women began the "Bride's Walk" to join in with the Mexican Independence Day Parade they chanted with pride in Spanish "Women we're here, present and yes we can."
For any woman as well as any man whom your partner or any one else is abusing.
There are now culturally sensitive agencies to assist you Asha Family Services (414) 875-1511, Latina Resource Center (414) 389-6500 and there is also the 24-hour hotlines/shelters, Sojourner Truth House (414) 933-2722 or Milwaukee Women's Center (414) 671-6140. If you are being abused or are an abuser today is the day, you can begin to feel worthy again.
