Print edition: 
If you've lived in Wichita as long as I have and been active in the community, you might think you know about every organization around.
But I recently learned about an amazing organization that, somehow, had never landed on my radar — the Wichita Women's Initiative Network (WIN).
This group offers a supportive environment for women in transition by providing them with social, educational and general life skills. These skills allow women who are homeless, are living in poverty or are in transition from abusive situations to secure employment.
During my visit to WIN's facility, a client spoke of the abuse she had suffered at home and how WIN had actually saved her life.
And for about the millionth time in my life I thought about how fortunate I am to have grown up in a loving home.
The staff at WIN told me that domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma and even death. The emotional pain lasts a lifetime.
And that pain is passed on. When a child witnesses violence between parents or other adult caretakers, it greatly increases the probability of violent behavior being passed along from generation to generation.
Findings from the National Violence Again Women Survey revealed that one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. That statistic made me ill. Think how many women you know. Now think about how many potentially are being abused.
We want to help these women, and help translates into volunteer work and money.
That's where Denise Brown, sister of the late Nicole Brown Simpson, comes in. She will be in Wichita on April 19-20 to raise awareness of domestic violence.
Brown will speak at 7:30 p.m. April 20 at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex. The talk is open to the public. Tickets are $15, or $10 for students.
Brown will be guest of honor at a cocktail party at Hotel at Old Town on April 19. Tickets are $75.
On April 20 she will be guest of honor at a luncheon at the Marriott Corporate Hills hotel. Tickets are $50.
If you're interested in any of these worthy events, you may buy tickets at select Dillons stores or by calling WIN at 316-262-3960. For more information, go to www.wichitawin.org.
