Ashland nonprofit Keeping All Women Safe will host 11 virtual presentations led by female professionals over the next month for its second-ever fundraiser
By Sydney Seymour, Ashland.news
Throughout October, 12 female professionals from across the country and Australia — organized by Ashland-based nonprofit Keeping All Women Safe (KAWS) — will offer “valuable information” to help women and men cultivate safer, healthier and more empowering lives and relationships.
“If we have the right knowledge, tools and gain skills,” KAWS founder and executive director Alaya Ketani said to Ashland.news over the phone, “our decisions will be informed, and we will be able to navigate not only a decision, but all of life more skillfully.”
Aware of violations against women in Southern Oregon, Ketani founded the organization with help from 10 Ashland volunteers in 2018. The “last straw” that led her to action was a sexual assault against a female employee in an Ashland downtown Plaza restaurant in late 2017.
“Ashland has had this reputation of being this bubble, this Shangri-La lulling people into complacency and belief that somehow there are these invisible gates that only let kind and non-violent people in. And we know that is false,” she continued.
The deets
To see a flyer with information about online presentation presenters, click here
To register for the online presentations on safer and healthier relationships, click here
KAWS “expands awareness of and works for the increased safety and equality of women and girls through education, training events, collaboration, advocacy and mediation,” according to their mission statement.
For their second-ever fundraiser, titled “KAWS Academy: Valuable Knowledge for Empowerment,” each 60-minute presentation will cost $25, with all proceeds supporting the non-profit’s associated costs.
Among the presenters are a financial advisor, attorney, trauma psychotherapist and a sobriety coach who was a bartender. There will also be authors, teachers, registered nurses, career coaches and outreach and victim services advocates.
In 11 live Zoom presentations with question and answer sessions, attendees will learn about:
- betrayal trauma
- gut health and functional medicine
- red, yellow and green flags in relationship
- social security for widows and spouses
- career, business and financial tips
- how to choose a therapist
- how to navigate medical gaslighting in hospitals and clinics
- how to find advocacy services for survivors of violence
- living life alcohol-free
Some presentations are open to women and men, while others are women-only. Presentations are for individuals of a minimum 18 years of age. Registration closes 24 hours in advance of each presentation.
“When you consider,” Ketani said, “how often do any of us have the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and then not only ask questions to top experts but hear the answers to other people’s questions, it’s an incomparable value and an amazing opportunity that I’m hoping people will take advantage of.”
Originally called “Keeping Ashland Women Safe” (KAWS) the name was changed within the first few years to “All.” The event and nonprofit are not just for Ashlanders, but all, Ketani explained.
For those unable to make it to the event, Ketani encourages the community to donate to “help us continue to help you,” she said.
Please note KAWS is not a crisis response team. If in an immediate emergency, please call 911 or call/text the Jackson County Mental Health Helpline at 988 or 541-774-8201.
Email Ashland.news Snowden reporting intern Sydney Seymour at [email protected].
