The heartache of a mother who lost her daughter and that of two daughters who lost their mother were the focal points of the kickoff to an annual campaign that casts a spotlight on the issue of men's violence against women.
The London Abused Women's Centre (LAWC) launched its eighth annual Shine the Light on Woman Abuse Campaign Friday at its headquarters on York St.
Dozens of politicians and business leaders fought back tears as Donna Mcleod spoke about her daughter Cindy Gladue, a woman involved in the sex trade who was found dead in an Edmonton motel in June 2011.
"It was very hard in court when they call her a prostitute when she has a name,” said Mcleod. “I wish I knew she was a prostitute. I did not know. I could have talked to her and she’d be here today.”
The 36-year-old Cree woman was forced into the sex-trade by her boyfriend. The Ontario man accused in her murder was acquitted in 2015. That decision was overturned this summer by Alberta's Court of Appeal, which ordered a new first degree murder trial.
"She was a very good mother, a good daughter," Mcleod said of her daughter.
Gladue is one of two women being honoured through this year's Shine the Light campaign. Two of her three daughter's were also on hand for the launch.
"For me, my sister, and my grandma to be here it is really good because we can speak for my mom because she can't be here to speak," said Cheyanne Gladue.
The 16-year-old is the youngest of Gladue's children and said what she wants people to remember about her mother is how happy she always was.
"My mom always turned to the positive when she was around family. She would always cook, she made really good rice pudding. She loved cleaning to keep busy," said Cheyanne.
The London-born awareness initiative sees dozens of buildings and monuments throughout the city and country bathed in purple light for the month of November. It has now gone international, with groups in Australia and Sweden adopting it this year. The colour purple is a symbol of courage, survival, and honour.
"What we need to continue to do is shift the shame and blame that so many women carry to the shoulders of men whose responsibility it is to end this atrocity and, in many cases, whose responsibility it was that they were violated in the first place," said Megan Walker, LAWC executive director. "We want women to know they aren't alone. They are not alone because they have a city behind them, they have a country that stands behind them and they have a world that stands with them and says 'we're on your side and we believe you.'"
Londoner Ashley Desjardine, who endured an abusive relationship, is also being honoured through the campaign.
"It is a huge honour," said Desjardine. "I'm humbled. I'm proud because it reminds me personally that I have come a long way since the first time I walked through these doors at the London Abused Women's Centre. The first time I walked through was for my intake session as a client and now to be in this position, I hope others can look at it and see hope... that they will see that they are not alone and not to blame, that there is hope and support."
Desjardine will share her story and illuminate the Tree of Hope in Victoria Park on November 1.
A list of all of the upcoming campaign events can be found by clicking here.
Through the month-long initiative, LAWC will be selling t-shirts, scarves, socks, hats, and purple indoor and outdoor light bulbs to raise funds for front-line services. Those items can be purchased at LAWC's office at 797 York St.