WOWapalooza fundraiser honors nursing professor
A WOW MOMENT
Jane Evans, associate professor of nursing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, was celebrated as the 2018 WOW Woman of the Year at the fifth annual WOWapalooza, a benefit for Women’s Own Worth held Oct. 12 at the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock.
The event began with cocktails and silent-auction bidding. As during previous incarnations, the “silent witnesses” — red silhouettes on which the stories of those who died due to domestic violence — stood watch. Concert violinist Oksana Pavilionis provided live music prior to the dinner program, for which KARK’s Isabella Moller served as master of ceremonies; Women’s Own Worth founder Jajuan Archer provided remarks. Guest speaker Andrea Willis, who lost her aunt to domestic violence, delivered a sobering message. Noting that everyone has something in common — “we’re all human” — she reminded the audience that “domestic violence does not discriminate.”
“No one deserves to lose their life by the hands of another,” Willis continued. “The pain, the trauma, the heartache will always be there. But knowing that there are people like you all in this room right now gives me such hope. It lets me know that no one is truly alone. But it takes us as individuals to step up out of our comfort zone, to not be afraid when we see someone pushing someone around or being a bully behind closed doors ... to do something about it.”
Archer presented Evans with her award. “I believe Jajuan is actually the woman of the millennium,” said Evans, a volunteer with Women’s Own Worth since its 2012 inception, said during her thank-you remarks.
Women’s Own Worth empowers victims and survivors of domestic violence. “Our goal was $80,000 and we raised [more than] $92,000,” Archer said. Half of the proceeds will go to the agency’s first transitional home for survivors.