WS Chronicle

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence says there are 10 million people a year who are physically abused by an intimate partner and there have been 563 gun-related domestic violence fatalities this year.

To help combat this tragic issue, Gwendolyn Robinson founded her non-profit organization, Beautiful Countenance, a decade ago. To bring more attention to this national crisis and honor those who have survived domestic violence, Beautiful Countenance will hold their annual Survivors Luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Best Western located at 3330 Silas Creek Parkway at 11:30 a.m. The event is free for survivors of domestic violence; donations and sponsorships are welcomed.

“At first we only celebrated those survivors of domestic violence, but now we are celebrating all survivors,” said Robinson. “We have people that survived breast cancer, survived suicide, and even death. We just want to celebrate people that have made it through.”

Robinson says the change in the luncheon happened through conversations she had with family, friends and loved ones. She found that there are countless individuals in the area who have survived some sort of tragedy and felt they needed to be celebrated just as much as those who suffered through domestic violence.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Antonina Griffin. Griffin is a social media influencer and entrepreneur and is a survivor of domestic violence herself. The luncheon will also include giveaways, including the Purple Purse giveaway. The purple purse symbolizes the survival bag that is suggested for people dealing with domestic violence when they decide to remove themselves from that unfortunate situation.

“She is an author and is going to share her story and information about survival and how to come out of a situation involving domestic violence,” Robinson said about Griffin.  

Over the years, Robinson has received tremendous feedback from those who have attended the luncheon or used Beautiful Countenance to free themselves from domestic violence.

“What you find out is domestic violence affects everyone,” Robinson continued. “If you are not a victim of domestic violence, you know someone that is. You know someone in your circle, in your community, in your church, that is dealing with domestic violence in some capacity.”

Robinson says that starting conversations around domestic violence in the church is a great way for people to open up about it. She stated many people may be embarrassed about it initially, but after talking with someone about their issue, they are more likely to tell their story.

This year Beautiful Countenance has partnered with Tabernacle of Faith Worship Center to provide 10 complete meals for Thanksgiving. They are also searching for three families who are dealing with domestic violence to assist during the Christmas holiday season.

For Robinson, the biggest pleasure she receives from holding the luncheon is seeing people not only survive domestic violence, but seeing them thrive and navigate through life in a positive way after their freedom from domestic violence.

For more information about the Survivors Luncheon and Beautiful Countenance, please visit the Beautiful Countenance Facebook page.