Event Supports CSM Scholarships, Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence

To help local survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, Zonta of Charles County and the College of Southern Maryland sponsored the 10th annual RAVE (Rape and Violence Eradication) Walk in Memory of Gayle A. Cooke Oct. 26 at CSM’s La Plata Campus.

Proceeds from this year’s walk were nearly $30,000 and helped fund local nonprofit agencies that provide services to victims of sexual assault, Southern Maryland teen violence prevention and recovery programs, and the Zonta RAVE Walk Scholarship Fund at CSM in Memory of Gayle A. Cooke, a mother of six and a crime victims’ support coordinator for the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The RAVE Walk began with opening remarks from event organizers as well as sisters who were survivors of domestic violence. The walk featured red silhouettes on loan from the Silent Witness Project to honor the memory of women and children whose families have chosen to share the story of losing loved ones to domestic violence. More than 175 community members participated.

 “I am overwhelmed at what we, as Zontians, have accomplished with the support of CSM and the community in the 10 years we have had our RAVE Walk,” said RAVE Walk Co-Chair Ann Rees. “In 2010, on the 10-year anniversary of her death, we named the RAVE walk after Gayle A. Cooke who was not only my friend, but a friend to all. In 2011, we established a scholarship in Gayle’s memory at CSM and have awarded $17,500 in scholarships to 12 courageous women, all survivors of abuse, all taking the next step in their lives to improve their status and be role models for others in the same situation. And this year, we accomplished a dream I have had for many years—the opening of the first domestic violence safe house for women and their children in Charles County. It is named “Gayle’s House” and has been filled to capacity since it opened in July. I know Gayle is our very special angel in heaven and making all things possible for all of us to help all women.”

Zonta International is a worldwide service organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women with nearly 33,000 members in more than 1,200 clubs in 67 counties and geographic areas.

For information on contributing to the Zonta RAVE Walk Scholarship in Memory of Gayle A. Cooke through the CSM Foundation, visit http://www.csmd.edu/foundation.