Who is WonderWoman?

WonderWoman is a person who has great abilities to overcome, to survive and thrive, and pave the way for a better world. Thousands of WonderWomen live in this country (and in the entire world).

My focus today is on the WonderWomen who have have triumphed in the face of adversity presented to them in the form of sexual assault.

On April 30, 2011, thousands of people will take a Two-Mile High Stand Against Sexual Assault®. At dozens of drop zones across the country, men and women of all ages will take to the sky and jump. Most for the first time ever. And it's all part of Operation Freefall®, the boldest, highest-altitude, and most daring event organized to put an end to sexual assault.

Operation Freefall is the only event of its kind to increase awareness of sexual violence. The event is held simultaneously across the country on the last Saturday of each April, and it benefits both Speaking Out About Rape, Inc.® (SOAR®) and community-based anti-sexual violence organizations nationwide.

My daughter is a WonderWoman. If you'd care to support this wonderful cause--and all the WonderWomen, WonderMen, and WonderChildren in this country--feel free to visit Laurie's fundraising page to learn more:  click here

Inspiration

See that upside down girl?  Well, she's mine.  And she is truly an inspiration.  She, who is terrified of heights, jumped out of an airplane today as part of Operation Freefall, a fundraiser for the organization Speaking Out Against Rape.  Two of her friends, Michael and Jessica, jumped right along with her to show their support.  (We should all have friends like that!)

We writers are often asked where we find our inspiration, if we pattern our characters after people we know, and where we come up with our ideas.  Thanks to my daughter, her friends, and so many other people, I find inspiration everywhere.  If I choose not to focus on the positive, I can find other characters and behavior about which to write, too...  Life is, after all, made up of endless perspectives, good, and evil.

Today, I am inspired by the brave and courageous souls associated with SOAR.  If you'd like to learn more about Laurie and the many others who raised over $100,000 in the 10th anniversary of Operation Freefall to help victims of sexual assault, click on the link I've provided below. 

FYI, Laurie was the second fundraiser nationwide and I couldn't be prouder of her - not only for helping others but for so courageously sharing her story, as so few rape victims do.

Speaking Out About Rape

SOAR: A Personal Message & Plea

In October 1999, my eighteen year-old daughter was the victim of a break-in and rape. The 4-hour ordeal changed her life.

On April 24th, ten and one-half years later - to the day - she will participate in Operation Freefall: the two-mile high stand against sexual assault. Thousands of people at skydive centers across the U.S. will be taking to the sky and jumping in the 10th Anniversary event. Laurie and her fellow jumpers are raising funds to help survivors through the healing process and to increase awareness about sexual violence.

Click here to learn more about SOAR® and Operation Freefall - and to read Laurie's personal message.

(Personal note:  Sexual assault is devastating.  The level of strength involved in surviving is immeasurable.  The courage it takes for a victim to publicly share his/her story - for the sole benefit of helping others in their recovery - is awesome.  Laurie, who is deathly afraid of heights, is far more courageous than anyone I have ever known - in so many ways.  Your donation - even if it's $5 - will help another brave, courageous individual reclaim his/her life.)