Waldorf, MD— On October. 13 at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center people with a story to tell and individuals making a difference gathered to share experiences that change lives.
This month we bring domestic violence to the forefront, and there is no better place to understand this issue than attending the First Annual Making a Difference Awards Ceremony. Leading the ceremony were Delegate CT Wilson [D – District 28], Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry along with numerous community members making a difference in their respected fields.
Gordon Braxton, who is an activist about manhood and male violence prevention, spoke about how males can prevent domestic violence.
“I think there is a national conversation about what men should be doing about domestic violence. In my experience young men and boys have much to say about this topic they might know how to talk about it,” said Braxton.
Wilson spoke after Braxton and delivered a heartfelt message. “This topic is important; I know many people have been through a great deal, and they are suffering this day. I also know that there suffering does not define them, I have people come up to me (Wilson) all the time as a victim. I always think you’re so much more. You’re a mother, father, a brother, a husband, a wife or God forbid lawyers or politicians, but there is so much more to you than being a victim,” said Wilson.
A total of eight awards were given out to numerous individuals who have made a significant impact in regards to domestic violence in their fields.
Detective / Corporal Jack Austin is making a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence through his work as an investigator assigned to the Major Crimes Unit of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. For this award, Austin is being recognized for his investigative efforts into the attempted murder and brutal physical and sexual assault of a woman in La Plata.
The Honorable Anthony Covington is making a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence through his work as the State’s Attorney for Charles County. Since his election in 2010, Covington has been an active partner in the fight against domestic violence.
Pastor Steve Davis is making a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence as the pastor of The Worship Center in Bryans Road. As recently as last year, Davis wrote an article that appeared in the Methodist Men’s Magazine. The article was entitled, “Putting an End to Domestic Violence.”
As a veteran of the United States Army, Marvin Marion is making a difference in the fight against domestic violence and the lives of women in Charles County. Marion holds black belts in the Tae-Kwon- do and Shotokan martial arts disciplines, and he co-owns Velvet and Steel Fitness in Waldorf, where he currently teaches quarterly self-defense classes.
Irwin Raiman is making a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence through his work with the Silent Witness Project. Raiman has supported his wife as an advocate against domestic violence for many years. Using his skills as a carpenter, he created life- sized cut-outs of women for the Silent Witness Program.
Stephen Stowers and Joseph Stine are making a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence through their work in the Emergency Department at the University of Maryland – Charles Regional Medical Center.
Delegate C. T. Wilson (D) is making a difference in the lives of people through his work as a writer, speaker, and legislator. Delegate Wilson is the author of “10,000 Hills: A Little Boy’s Journey,” a graphically detailed book chronicling the years of sexual abuse he endured as a child in the foster care system.
Annette Gilbert-Jackson who is the executive director at the Center for Abused Persons shared one of her favorite quotes by Vin Diesel. “Being male is a matter of birth. Being a man is a matter of age. But being a gentleman is a matter of choice.”
Contact Charles Seifert at c.seifert@thebaynet.com
