AFGE Local 2157 Holds Community Event to Raise Domestic Violence Awareness

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Union activists with the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2157 will host its first ever Support Our Sisters (SOS) Purple and Pink Affair event on Oct. 27 to help raise awareness and support for victims and survivors of domestic violence and their families.

SOS was created by AFGE District 11 National Women's Advisory Coordinator Amanda Schroeder and Oregon AFL-CIO Young Emerging Labor Leaders member, Kendra Moon. The goals of this initiative are to raise awareness about domestic violence and its impact on the community, workforce and AFGE members; provide bras for women utilizing domestic violence resources provided by community organizations; and to provide opportunities for AFGE activists to establish firm ties with domestic violence resource centers in their communities.

"We hope SOS continues to grow, and involve labor from all trades to provide critical support in the aid of transitioning victims of domestic violence to survivors," said Schroeder. "SOS is a confirmation of AFGE and the labor movement's commitment to working America—from the bargaining table to the dinner table."

The event will feature musical performances, a silent action and a raffle. Attendees are asked to bring a new bra for admittance into the event, and all of the collections will be donated to domestic violence shelters in the Portland community.

"The need for a comfortable bra is something that almost any woman can relate to, yet this very basic item of clothing is easily taken for granted.  For those who arrive in our emergency shelter at Raphael House - often with only the clothes on their back - simply having access to a bra in the correct size can help with regaining feelings of "normal-ness" and stability," said Amanda Grebner with the Raphael House of Portland.  "Since our agency serves more than 100 families escaping from domestic violence each year, we have a significant and continuous need for bras.  This partnership with AFGE's Support Our Sisters program has been incredibly helpful and directly benefits women in a truly meaningful way."

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 670,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. For more information on AFGE District 11's women's and fair practices initiatives please visit www.wfpafged11.org. For the latest AFGE news and information, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees