Healing at Heart of Women’s Seminar: Tamar’s Cry Will Offer Support and Comfort to Abused Women, and Information on Where They Can Find Help.
By Amanda O’Toole, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.
Mar. 23–Bernia Williams-Kelly wants abused women to know they have support.
When she was growing up, her father beat her. A former boyfriend raped her when she was 18.
The abuse led her to drugs and alcohol and eventually, jail time.
But she has been clean since 1999, and now Williams-Kelly has organized her second annual conference, Tamar’s Cry, for women who have been abused emotionally, mentally, physically or sexually.
She hopes other women will come and share their stories.
The conference, sponsored by Woman-to-Woman, a prisoner re-entry program, and Straight Street Bethel Church, was named Tamar’s Cry after the biblical character who was raped by her brother, Amnon.
Information about local organizations that help abused women will be available. Private investigators will be on hand to answer questions.
“So many people think they’re the only ones this happens to,” Williams-Kelly said. “It’s really home to me. My heart goes out to these women.”
Mildred Williams, a local minister, and Karen Hollon, who has a prison singing ministry, will be keynote speakers.
Williams-Kelly, who works with Woman-to-Woman, said she wanted to hold the conference because a lot of women who end up in prison or jail were abused sometime during their lives.
It’s vital that these women and others who have been abused know they are important, she said.
A balloon release is planned for the end of the conference. Women will be asked to write the form of abuse they experienced on the balloon before they let them go as a symbol of healing.
“There’s going to be a lot of healing going on,” she said.
For more information, contact Williams Kelly at (316) 652-0815.
IF YOU GO
TAMAR’S CRY
What: Conference for women who have been abused emotionally, mentally, physically or sexually.
Where: Pine Valley Christian Church, 5620 E. 21st St.
When: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 1
How much: $20. Those who cannot pay are welcome to attend.
For more information, call Bernia Williams-Kelly at (316) 652-0815.
Reach Amanda O’Toole at (316) 268-6357 or aotoole@wichitaeagle.com [mailto:aotoole@wichitaeagle.com].
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