In celebration of this month’s Domestic Violence Awareness and Mahatma 
Gandhi’s birthday, Saheli, Friendship for South Asian Women 
(www.saheliboston.org) hosted a 5K Run/Walk for Non-Violence Against Women this 
past Saturday, October 22nd. The event started at the Burlington High 
School on Cambridge Street at 8 AM sharp, proceeded to the Burlington 
Commons and back. Approximately 50 people attended, some as walkers, some 
as runners. The youngest walker was 5-month-old Jia Jaganath, who was 
accompanied by her parents.

Everyone was bundled up to brave the first signs of cold weather and 
ready to go. Thankfully, the predicted rain held out until after the 
activities were completed. The Saheli banner was held in front throughout 
the walk, as were several signs with slogans discouraging domestic 
violence. As the first group of walkers rounded the half-way mark, two 
Burlington fire trucks drove by in the opposite direction, their drivers 
waving and sounding the horns in support for the cause. It was a nice 
boost of encouragement to continue on triumphant.

It was a great success and Saheli would like to thank all who 
participated by pledging the runners/walkers, the generous contributors and 
those who took part in the actual event. 

Special thanks go out to The Lahey Clinic, Reach, Costco (bottled water 
donation), The Burlington Police Department, especially Ann Marie 
Brown, Bernie Schipletti and James Tigges, along with the Town of 
Burlington. 

Saheli - Men’s Initiative: Speaking Out To Stop Violence Against Women 
is their new project that seeks to increase awareness of gender 
violence. Violence against women is not just a women’s issue. It also requires 
the active and concerned support of men speaking out against domestic 
violence.

Saheli’s message: "If we work together to stop the violence in our 
community, we will make better life for our next generation!!!" 

To read more on women’s abuse, how you can help and/or get help for 
yourself, please see - 
http://www.associatedcontent.com/content.cfm?content_type=article&content_type_id=8885

Also, your local post office is participating by offering ‘Stop Family 
Violence’ stamps, in conjunction with ‘The Stamp Out Domestic Violence 
Act of 2001’. Stop in and buy some today and help stop the violence.

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