WHAT IS WOMEN SPEAKING OUT?
Women Speaking Out is a private 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that works to educate young women in middle school through college about dating violence and creating community awareness. We offer grassroots initiatives to help reduce incidences of dating violence by offering character development workshops, anti violence trainings and public awareness events centered on speaking out against domestic violence. Our programs are currently funded by contributions from private and corporate donors.
OUR MISSION
Speak Love
Our mission is to educate young women in high school through college about dating violence by providing interactive programs and events focused on building self-esteem, increasing the awareness of dating violence, and teaching intervention techniques.
OUR FOUNDER
Juliet Lighter-Kamm, former Miss Hawaii USA is a advocate, coach, philanthropist, marketing expert, and art enthusiast. She completed her undergraduate work in Public Relations and her Master's degree in Communications from Hawaii Pacific University.
As a survivor of dating violence she launched Women Speaking Out (WSO), as a teen and young women’s dating abuse preventative resource in 2007. The organization is focused on helping to support a niche market in the prevention field through education and encouraging young women to have an active voice in the community.
The organization’s overall vision is simple, to change lives; to shine a light for those in the dark and to bring attention to this important issue through fashion, music, art, education and philanthropy. Women Speaking Out seeds the message of empowerment, self love, and cultivating positive relationship behaviors and recognizing unhealthy patterns of abuse.
WSO News & Events
OUR PROGRAMS
WSO Hawaii coordinates statewide awareness campaigns to reduce dating violence.
We facilitate peer training activities for young women in middle school thru college.
We host fun, interactive, and educational events to bring women together with the purpose of giving them a platform and voice to speak out in a safe environment.
Speak Love Conference
A one day inspiring conference to educate young women in high school about dating violence and promote empowerment.
OUR IMPACT
The Positive Impact WSO’s had on countless young women over the years has been humbling to say the least. Many of the greatest things in life are immeasurable such as the satisfaction and joy beating in your heart when you look into the eyes of a survivor or hear young women using their new found “voice” to speak love and spread love. WSO by the numbers…
100+
THOUSAND Dollars Raised
WSO has raised over $100,000 to help fund student focused events such as its Annual Speak Love Conference and educational workshops.
10+
Years Serving communities
WSO has created innovative events throughout the years to help sustain its visibility in the community and commitment to raising awareness of dating violence. #speaklove #wsohawaii
5+
Thousand WOMAN Impacted
One of the goals of WSO has been to form a sisterhood of young women made up of survivors, educators, students and advocates that believe in creating change.
OUR PARTNERS
WSO partners with companies and brands which share our vision. We are honored to collaborate with Hawaii’s top talent and are always looking for new and exciting ways to synergistically grow. Interested? #speaklove #wsohawaii
What Teens Are Saying About WSO
My takeaway from attending the speaklove conference was learning that no matter what path you choose to go forward on, setting goals and knowing your self worth will always be enough despite what others may say/think.
-Aree Ellis, Class of 2023
I learned that if you let a man control you, he’ll continue to do so.. and when there comes a time when he tells you to do something and you don’t do it.. he’ll feel disrespected and things could possibly get out of hand.
-Alazah Faumui, Class of 2022
My takeaway from last year's conference is there’s no act of violence or words of belittlement that can be justified by love or excused by miscommunication. As women, I feel like we’re always trying to make everyone happy or trying to fill a void that we have which ends up with us settling for less and making excuses for others when we don’t have to. I’m grateful that I got to learn about the different resources available for women nowadays through this conference because it goes to show how powerful we are as women to come together to lift each other up and grow from these situations.
-Kari Malagama’alii, Senior Class of 2019
GET INVOLVED
We believe there is strength in numbers. We are a community focused organization built on empowering, educating and unifying young women of all age, race and gender. See below for all the ways you can get involved.
Make a Donation
We are making a difference, thanks to the support of individuals and businesses that share a commitment to ending dating violence.
Sign Up For a Program
We are dedicated to empowering and celebrating women by hosting fun and educational events throughout the year. Sign up now!
Volunteer opportunities
Join our movement, we are always seeking talented individuals that want to help, mentor, and facilitate growth.
