Gala supports survivors | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Stephanie Lamberth, owner of Skin Fix Med Spa and longtime supporter of Women’s Own Worth, was honored as WOW Woman of the Year at WOWapalooza, the annual gala that raises money to support survivors of domestic violence and violent crime. The event took place on October 4th in the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.

Terri and Dr. Michael Calhoun served as honorary chairs for WOWapalooza, which began with dinner and a welcome and opening speech by State Representative Charlene Fite. Laura Monteverdi directed a program consisting of remarks from Women’s Own Worth founder Jajuan Archer at the award presentation and a survivor statement from Jennifer Maune. The program also included a spotlight on the two Saline County villas built by the organization to provide supportive housing to survivors of domestic violence, with two more to come.

As is tradition at WOWapalooza, Rebecca Eastep explained the Silent Witness Program — represented by life-sized red silhouettes of victims of violence in Arkansas displayed in the room — and read the names of the past year’s victims.

Composing the evening’s auxiliary activities: a silent auction; a draw; and a live auction by Gaylen McGee of prizes like a week at a Costa Rica vacation villa for 10, a party for 15 at Cache restaurant and a VIP Dallas Cowboys game day experience for two.

“Our goal was $175,000 and we raised it,” Archer later announced. “We have enough to build our next two villages.”

– Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams