Posted by Steve Grossman, Massachusetts State Treasurer
On March 7 I joined Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts coalition against sexual assault and domestic violence, in taking the White Ribbon Day pledge and serving as a White Ribbon Day Ambassador. This program highlights the importance of speaking out and speaking up. I believe it was particularly meaningful for me, as Treasurer of the Commonwealth, to take the pledge alongside other men vowing to stand against violence towards women. The pledge is both simple and eloquent; "From this day forward I promise to be a part of the solution in ending violence against women."
I was delighted to be invited to attend this year's White Ribbon Day by Elizabeth Schön Vainer, the director of Journey to Safety, the domestic abuse program of Jewish Family & Children's Service, where they offer culturally competent, religiously sensitive services to survivors of domestic abuse, with specialized services for the Jewish and Russian-speaking communities. Safety planning, court accompaniment, information, support, referrals, and other resources are available for all domestic abuse survivors, including teens, seniors, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community.
The gravity of this issue has concerned me for years, and I'm proud of the active involvement and philanthropic leadership our family has demonstrated in support of several meaningful organizations which are members of the Jane Doe Coalition. These organizations, as a part of their mission, are committed to ending violence against women while supporting victims of domestic violence.
In Newton we've worked with The Second Step program. Second Step offers transitional housing, advocacy, safety planning, mentoring, children's programs, legal case management, and an array of supportive services for families transitioning away from abuse. In Somerville RESPOND, Inc. has provided life-saving shelter, support services, training, and education to more than 100,000 members of the community. Boston's Casa Myrna is a leading provider of shelter and comprehensive services to victims and survivors of domestic violence.
It is an honor to stand with these organizations because the tireless efforts and lifesaving work that each provides often goes without appropriate recognition.
It is vitally important to support these groups and organizations like them throughout our state. We must partner with them in spreading the message that violence towards women can never be tolerated in our homes and in our communities. Massachusetts women and families deserve to be safe and to feel protected.
When I took the pledge on White Ribbon Day, I promised to be a part of the solution. As Treasurer and in whatever office I may hold, I vow to be a voice and an advocate for this cause.
Steve Grossman is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School. Prior to being elected Treasurer in 2010, he served as chairman of both the Massachusetts and national democratic parties. Steve spent 36 years as CEO of Grossman Marketing Group in Somerville, a 102-year-old, fourth-generation family business. His wife, Dr. Barbara Wallace Grossman, is a professor at Tufts University and serves as Vice Chair of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. They have three sons, David, Ben, and Josh.
