OPBSI Launches the Ray of Hope Walk in NYC and Chicago

New York, NY – June 26, 2014

* For Immediate Release *

Contact:

Gilberte Saint-Preux
Director of Public Relations
PR@OmegaPhiBeta.org

The National Council of Officers (NCOO) of Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (OPBSI) and the Board of Trustees of the Omega Phi Beta Foundation (OPBF) are excited to announce the official launch of the 2014 Ray of Hope Walk to End Violence Against Women.

One in three women will experience sexual or physical violence in her lifetime[1]. This wide-spread and systemic violence is a direct obstacle to gender equality and a violation of basic human rights. The Ray of Hope Walk (ROHW) seeks to unite members of the community in its hosting city in an effort to raise awareness of the various forms of violence directed towards women and girls in our society. In addition, ROHW hopes to raise funds for programs working to eradicate all forms of gender- based violence.

Since 2012, the ROHW has taken place in the month of October, during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, at Riverside Park in Manhattan, NYC. This year we continue the tradition on Saturday, October 4th. Opening remarks will begin at 10 am, with the walk beginning shortly thereafter. In addition to the walk, the event will host numerous booths from community organizations and partners, raffles, sign-making, powerful performances and more.

We are especially excited that after two years of successful events in NYC, the Omega Phi Beta Foundation is ecstatic to announce the expansion of ROHW to its second city: Chicago, IL. On Sunday, October 5th, the Chicago Ray of Hope Run/Walk will take place at Northeastern Illinois University.

Previously, money raised has been donated to non-profit organization like National Organization for Women (NOW) and V-Day. This year money raised will be used to support, INCITE!, a national organization working to end violence against women, gender non-conforming, and trans people of color in our communities. To learn more about this radical organization, you can visit their website at http://www.incite-national.org.

The Ray of Hope Walk is committed to uniting communities across race, gender, and location to stand up, fight, and heal together. If you are interested in partnering with us for this event, please visit rayofhopewalk.org where you can find more information about being a part of the event.

Omega Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, a member of NALFO, is a Latina-oriented Greek-lettered organization committed to spreading the Awareness of Violence Against Women. The mission of OPBSI is to serve and educate people of diverse backgrounds through sisterhood, leadership and guidance. As positive role models, we promote unity of all cultures, focus on the empowerment of our gender and raise the standards of excellence in our academic, social, and personal endeavors. OPBSI envisions a world without oppression, where empowered women celebrate the essence of womanhood and act as resources in the advancement of their communities. For more information visit: www.OmegaPhiBeta.org