Walk for Herr: Ending Her (Women’s) Suffering (Part 2)

Our event reminded us that support is not abstract. For everyone who took part in the walk, every step represented a tangible investment in a woman’s future. Together, we are more than donors/supporters — we are social healers, contributing to the restoration of lives.  

After completing the walk we visited the shelter, currently undergoing renovations. Despite construction and temporary changes, its mission and heart never wavered. Services have continued without interruption with some temporary adjustments, and the spirit of care and safety has remained strong. As we toured the nearly completed remodeled spaces, we could already imagine the comfort and dignity the new environment will bring to the women who will soon call it home. 

Walking through the kitchen and dining room, we met many women — each with her own story, her own energy, her own strength. Some sat in familiar corners, claiming “their spots.” Staff told us that those places belong to them; they don’t let anyone else take them. For many women, having a spot that is theirs may be the first time they’ve felt a sense of belonging: a small but powerful reminder of stability and ownership in a life that has often been filled with uncertainty. 

We saw groups gathered around the television, others chatting and laughing together—a cackling laughter that felt like healing. Often, women who have endured trauma or abuse have been silenced in their own homes. In this shelter, they find their voices again. Here, they are free to speak, to share stories, to make jokes, and to laugh loudly. These moments of connection and joy are more than simple interactions; they are signs of recovery, of life returning.  

As we reflect on the event, let us carry forward its spirit. Let us continue to walk — not just with our feet, but with purpose. Let us raise awareness of domestic abuse and homelessness and ensure that no woman or girl ever feels alone. 

Together, we can build a future where every woman has the safety, rest, healing, and independence she deserves.