Luncheon speaker empowers other women

FORT SMITH — KNWA news anchor Neile Jones was the guest speaker Thursday (June 21) at Girls Inc.’s annual Women of Vision luncheon, held at the Holiday Inn City Center. Jones talked about her book, Look Again…Because You Can, in which she details her earlier life living with an abusive husband. She has since remarried and divorced.

Girls Inc. is a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through a network of local chapters in the United States and Canada. The luncheon helped raise money for the local chapter through a silent auction and a raffle. The winner of the raffle was an employee of one of the companies that bought a table for the luncheon. The raffle garnered $750, all of which would be donated back to Girls Inc., a patron at the winning table said.
 
Several young girls from Girls Inc. were at the event to help seat guests. After lunch was served, board president Sherry Sims introduced Jones and turned the program over to her.

“I am not special, lots of people go through this,” Jones said about her abusive ex-husand. She said she felt telling her story would benefit others. Jones said she has received many emails and letters from others who, after reading her book, were empowered to leave their abusers.  The book has been instrumental in helping change state law regarding punishment of animal abusers as well, she said.

Jones was accompanied Thursday by her mother and th general manager of her station. Relying on family and friends is key to being able to recognize an abusive relationship and leaving it, she said. Her ex-husband still lives in the area, and while she has to be cautious, she not longer fears him.

“I care, but I am no longer afraid,” Jones said.

Girls Inc. educates the media about critical issues facing girls. It also teaches girls how to advocate for themselves and their communities, using their voices to promote positive change. Jones’ book fits in perfectly with these guidelines.

“Every 18 seconds someone is a victim of marital abuse,” she said.

After the luncheon, Jones sold copies of her book, signing some of them. She also gave out hugs to those who sympathized with her.