Society of Women Who Love Shoes ~ “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

                  

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/275044842532716/

 

Click on the link above to see the Society of Women Who Love Shoes facebook page!

Hi, Jean Robb here. I'd like to tell you about a very special lady Dianne Samoff. Through her own pain of dealing with abuse, she found the courage to get help and help others. With a kind heart and soft voice Dianne has found the courage to speak up and educate others about the effects of domestic abuse. 

Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone.Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. More than 32 million Americans are affected by domestic violence each year. Here is some information to help you get involved and help others effected by domestic violence

 

When I first started my business (Silver Spoon Events in 2000) I would go to networking events. I would pay $20.00 plus to get in and if I wanted to join it would be $100.00 plus and pay weekly or monthly dues. I would walk around for a few minutes before the meeting started. Then, I would listen to someone giving a speech and be served lunch. One time I had to listen to a full 45 minutes of someone telling how she learned how to ride bulls! After lunch some people would stay but for the most part people had to leave and get back to work. So, in 2005 in Houston I started thinking;I wanted to do something a little different, have fun at the same time and give back to the community. I discussed with a few friends and came up with: There would be a small fee to get in to cover our expenses. There would be no table to put business cards on, women would mingle, meet, pass out your cards and talk to everyone. We decided to have the contests to keep it fun and exciting. AND come on Ladies…we all have fancy glittery shoes, we do not get to wear very often in our closets… so this is why we have the contests. And that is how I came up with our name.

Then, I decided while we are having fun and we all have nice shoes in our closets that we do not wear any longer. So, that is why we ask for you to donate New or Gently used shoes to help other women that do not have a closet full of shoes and may need them for a new job. This was beginning of Society of Women who Love Shoes.

Dianne now lives in Dallas Ft Worth and has really made an impact in her community. Here is the information about the next Society of Women Who Love Shoes event




Special request!

We are in need of Baby / Children cloths and beds / bedding.

WE have a 19 year old that has been abused with a toddler son.
PLEASE, anything you can donate would be gratefully appreciated!!!

... Society of Women Who LOVE Shoes....and Fashion
Helping Families of Abuse!

Dianne.Samoff@sbcglobal.net

https://www.facebook.com/events/275044842532716/#!/events/275044842532716/

Click on the link above for event information

Society of Women Who LOVE Shoes...and Fashion

Hotel ZaZa Dallas · Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 6-9:00pm

$10.00 and a donation of New and Gently used Shoes AND
New Toys for Children (Wrapped, with name of Toy, if for Boy or Girl, and age limit).
Proceeds to benefit families of abuse.

Shoe Contests for Ladies: Sexiest Shoe : Highest Heel : Most Unique Shoe
Contest for men: Best Tie

Complimentary Hors d" oeuvres and cash bar

Bid on amazing auction items
Raffle Items

Feel free to forward the invite to others
RSVP: Dianne.Samoff@sbcglobal.net

Spotlight your business with (1) Raffle item and (1) Shoe Contest item
Email: Tammy@startlookingyounger.com

Sponsors: Hotel ZAZA
Marcus Lopez Photography
Designer Dress Ups (Auction)
3four1
The BrownTex Company – Jeff Brown
Home Savings of America, Uptown – Maria Christina Brown

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SWWLS.Dallas
Chapters in Dallas : Houston : Miami

Learn more: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=275044842532716

 

Speak up!

Domestic Violence and Abuse

Signs of Abuse and Abusive Relationships

Noticing and acknowledging the warning signs and symptoms of domestic violence and abuse is the first step to ending it. No one should live in fear of the person they love. If you recognize yourself or someone you know in the following warning signs and descriptions of abuse, don’t hesitate to reach out. There is help available.

Understanding domestic violence and abuse
Women don’t have to live in fear:

    * In the U.S., call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

    * UK: call Women’s Aid at 0808 2000 247.

    * Canada: National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-363-9010.

    * Australia: National Domestic Violence Hotline 1800 200 526.

   

Male victims of abuse can call:

    * In the US, The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men & Women specializes in supporting male victims of abuse and offers a 24-hour helpline: 1-888-7HELPLINE (1-888-743-5754).

    * UK: ManKind Initiative offers a national helpline at 01823 334244.

    * Australia: One in Three Campaign offers help and resources for male victims.

Domestic abuse, also known as spousal abuse, occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence.

Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: to gain and maintain total control over you. An abuser doesn’t “play fair.” Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under his or her thumb. Your abuser may also threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you.

Domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate. It happens among heterosexual couples and in same-sex partnerships. It occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And while women are more commonly victimized, men are also abused—especially verbally and emotionally, although sometimes even physically as well. The bottom line is that abusive behavior is never acceptable, whether it’s coming from a man, a woman, a teenager, or an older adult. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe.

Recognizing abuse is the first step to getting help

Domestic abuse often escalates from threats and verbal abuse to violence. And while physical injury may be the most obvious danger, the emotional and psychological consequences of domestic abuse are also severe. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy your self-worth, lead to anxiety and depression, and make you feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and your first step to breaking free is recognizing that your situation is abusive. Once you acknowledge the reality of the abusive situation, then you can get the help you need.

Signs of an abusive relationship

There are many signs of an abusive relationship. The most telling sign is fear of your partner. If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells around your partner—constantly watching what you say and do in order to avoid a blow-up—chances are your relationship is unhealthy and abusive. Other signs that you may be in an abusive relationship include a partner who belittles you or tries to control you, and feelings of self-loathing, helplessness, and desperation.

To determine whether your relationship is abusive, answer the questions below. The more “yes” answers, the more likely it is that you’re in an abusive relationship.

SIGNS THAT YOU’RE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Your Inner Thoughts and Feelings	Your Partner’s Belittling Behavior
Do you: feel afraid of your partner much of the time? avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner? feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner? believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated? wonder if you’re the one who is crazy? feel emotionally numb or helpless?	Does your partner: humiliate or yell at you? criticize you and put you down? treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see? ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments? blame you for their own abusive behavior? see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
Your Partner’s Violent Behavior or Threats	Your Partner’s Controlling Behavior
Does your partner: have a bad and unpredictable temper? hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?  threaten to take your children away or harm them? threaten to commit suicide if you leave? force you to have sex? destroy your belongings?  How can I help a friend or family member who is being abused? Don’t be afraid to let him or her know that you are concerned for their safety. Help your friend or family member recognize the abuse. Tell him or her you see what is going on and that you want to help. Help them recognize that what is happening is not “normal” and that they deserve a healthy, non-violent relationship. Acknowledge that he or she is in a very difficult and scary situation. Let your friend or family member know that the abuse is not their fault. Reassure him or her that they are not alone and that there is help and support out there. Be supportive. Listen to your friend or family member. Remember that it may be difficult for him or her to talk about the abuse. Let him or her know that you are available to help whenever they may need it. What they need most is someone who will believe and listen to them. Be non-judgmental. Respect your friend or family member’s decisions. There are many reasons why victims stay in abusive relationships. He or she may leave and return to the relationship many times. Do not criticize his or her decisions or try to guilt them. He or she will need your support even more during those times. Encourage him or her to participate in activities outside of the relationship with friends and family. If he or she ends the relationship, continue to be supportive of them. Even though the relationship was abusive, your friend or family member may still feel sad and lonely once it is over. He or she will need time to mourn the loss of the relationship and will especially need your support at that time. Help him or her to develop a safety plan. Encourage him or her to talk to people who can provide help and guidance. Find a local domestic violence agency that provides counseling or support groups. Offer to go with him or her to talk to family and friends. If he or she has to go to the police, court or a lawyer, offer to go along for moral support. Remember that you cannot “rescue” him or her. Although it is difficult to see someone you care about get hurt, ultimately the person getting hurt has to be the one to decide that they want to do something about it. It’s important for you to support him or her and help them find a way to safety and peace. If you think your friend or family member may be abusive, click here to find out more. Please call the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY1-800-787-3224 to discuss your concerns and questions. Anonymous said... I am going through this scenario as i write this, i may be physically away from him now but he is still expecting me to return. as that is what i have done time after time after time. Return only to make the abuse worse. But this time, i actually opened up to several friends and asked for prayer. I did not go that far any of the other times when i tried to escape. I am now accountable to myself but to.my friends as well. I just needed to speak up to allow miracles to start happening. We are not alone. There are wonderful and caring people out there that knew just who to refer me to. And that was Dianne Samoff...she has such a sweet and gentle spirit, exactly what a hurting, raw, scared, sad, confused woman needs after leaving an abusive situation. Thank you Dianne Samoff... November 18, 2011 4:16 PM Remarkable Marketable Me said... You sound like a really brave lady. You will stay in my prayers. I'm so glad that you look to great women like Dianne. She really does understand your pain. Please stay strong! For yourself, your family, your friends and for the special lady that you'll share your brave story with. Be Blessed! November 18, 2011 5:57 PM Anonymous said... WOW...Anonymous, To take this step you are so strong! We all love you and you are not alone in this. Reach out anytime you need to. May GOD be with you! November 18, 2011 6:44 PM