LifeWire Communications and Events Manager Plays Key Role in Passing the Female Genital Mutilation Bill at the Washington State Legislature

In a significant victory for women’s rights and the global fight against gender-based violence in Washington State, the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Bill sponsored by Senators Keiser, Dhingra, Cleveland, Nguyen, Saldaña, and Valdez was successfully passed and signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on April 20, 2023. This accomplishment was largely due to the tireless efforts of community members and state legislators who share a commitment to autonomy and bodily integrity for women and girls.

Sukai Gaye, LifeWire Communications and Events Manager

Sukai Gaye, Communications and Events Manager at LifeWire, is a member of the Washington Coalition to End Female Genital Mutilation, which consists of women’s rights organizations, survivor-led groups, and advocates who worked closely with lawmakers. The Coalition led a powerful campaign that emphasized the need for legislative action to protect girls and women from the irreversible physical and psychological harm caused by FGM. Introduced to the WA Coalition to End FGM by her friend Absa Samba, a survivor and leader of the coalition, Sukai’s relentless efforts, alongside the collective dedication of the coalition, advocates, and allies, led to the successful passage of the FGM Bill

Governor Inslee with members of the WA Coalition to End FGM

Female Genital Mutilation, a harmful practice that adversely affects millions of girls and women worldwide, has become a growing concern for human rights advocates. Recognizing the urgency to protect vulnerable individuals in Washington State, Sukai committed herself to raising awareness, driving legislative action, and mobilizing support for the bill.

The newly enacted legislation not only criminalizes the practice of FGM but also establishes comprehensive support systems for survivors and preventive measures to eradicate this harmful tradition. Under this law, severe penalties await anyone found guilty of performing FGM or assisting in its execution, thus ensuring a stronger deterrent against this human rights violation.

The enactment of this legislation represents a milestone in the fight against FGM, positioning Washington State as the 41st state and a progressive leader in safeguarding the rights and well-being of women and girls. It serves as a testament to the power of grassroots activism, effective communication, and collaboration between community organizations and lawmakers.

Sukai, driven by her dedication to promoting gender equality and ending violence against women, played a pivotal role in garnering bipartisan support for the bill. Her passionate advocacy helped shape a compelling narrative around the urgency of the issue, collaborating with the Coalition to End FGM and rallying lawmakers to take action.

LifeWire provided support to Sukai in raising awareness about FGM and its detrimental effects on women and girls within the organization. The organization ensured Sukai had the necessary support to carry out her advocacy work and amplified her voice. She kept the progress of the legislation at the forefront of organizational discourse in All Staff meetings and in LifeWire’s Advocacy Team which Sukai co-chairs with DEIB Manager Freddy Vega.

As LifeWire celebrates this momentous achievement, Sukai continues her crucial work in promoting gender equality, supporting survivors, and advocating for policies that safeguard the rights and dignity of women. Her commitment to social justice sets an inspiring example for individuals and organizations alike, reaffirming LifeWire’s belief that positive change is possible through persistent advocacy and shared action.


New Washington State Laws Relating to Reproductive Health Services and Gender-Affirming Care

LifeWire welcomes and supports the recent enactment of a groundbreaking law by the Washington State Legislature in 2023, aimed at safeguarding the rights of people seeking reproductive health care services and gender-affirming treatment. The legislation comes as a response to the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, emphasizing the importance of states having the authority to establish their laws pertaining to reproductive rights. The new law, known as HB 1469 or The Shield Law, aims to protect access to essential healthcare services in Washington.

Effective April 27, 2023, The Shield Law (HB 1469) provides comprehensive protections for providers of reproductive health care services or gender-affirming treatment in Washington state. This law ensures that these essential services are accessible to all individuals, regardless of their location or circumstances.

Protected healthcare services under HB 1469 encompass a wide range of medical, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, and preventative care related to the human reproductive system. This includes services such as pregnancy-related care, contraception, miscarriage management, termination of pregnancy, and gender-affirming treatment.

One of the key provisions of The Shield Law is its prohibition on complying with out-of-state legal processes concerning protected healthcare services in Washington. This protection extends to both civil and criminal processes, ensuring that patients and providers in Washington state are shielded from potential legal actions in other states that may threaten their access to these vital services.

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is empowered to intervene in case of violations and enforce the established protections. Healthcare providers, employees, or affiliates facing threats or harassment related to their involvement in protected healthcare services can now apply for address confidentiality through the Secretary of State’s Address Confidentiality Program.

The passage of HB 1469 reflects Washington State’s commitment to safe and inclusive healthcare policies by safeguarding access to healthcare services and gender-affirming care without fear of legal repercussions. This law helps to ensure that Washington will remain a supportive healthcare environment that upholds the well-being and dignity of all.

LifeWire fully supports these legislative measures, as they align with our mission to empower survivors of domestic violence and ensure their access to comprehensive and compassionate care. At LifeWire, we remain dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive community where all individuals have access to the services they need for a healthier and more fulfilling life.

References:

  • HB 1469 – Concerning access to reproductive health care services and gender-affirming treatment in Washington state.
  • Title 7 RCW – Sections 1, 2, and 13-17 of HB 1469 will be codified as a new chapter in Title 7.
  • RCW 9.02 – Reproductive Privacy Act

LifeWire Hires a New Co-Executive Director for Organizational Operations

It is my pleasure to announce to you that we have hired the new Co-Executive Director of Organizational Operations. Through a rigorous search process, the Search Committee, in partnership with the Executive Committee of the board and several LifeWire staff members and Directors, determined that Janeira Bencosme-Gil would be an ideal fit for our organization.

Janeira Headshot

The board and I are very excited about the skills, passion, leadership, and partnership Janeira will bring to LifeWire. After seeing her interact with members of the LifeWire team, it is evident we will be engaging in a true partnership that is going to result in optimal outcomes for survivors.

Janeira and her family will be relocating to the Pacific Northwest, and she will begin her work with LifeWire on July 3rd. While I could share many things with you all about Janeira, I’ll allow her to share a bit about herself below.

In her own words…

Since graduating college 17 years ago, I have spent the entirety of my career committed to the field of Domestic and Gender-Based Violence services. Before stepping into my new position at LifeWire, I proudly served as the Deputy Director for the NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, at the Staten Island Family Justice Center.  These centers are co-located multidisciplinary service centers providing vital social services to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.  I am particularly proud of my time at the Staten Island Family Justice Center because I was lucky enough to be part of the incredible team that brought the center to life, from the first groundbreaking to a thriving center empowering survivors. 

My role was diverse, ranging from managing everyday operations and establishing policies, to guiding virtual programs and participating in city-wide initiatives,  developing and implementing an all-encompassing community outreach and education program. 

Prior to my time at the Staten Island Family Justice Center, I’ve filled several positions where I worked closely with the Family Justice Centers throughout New York City, including as a Child Protective Advocate, Resource Coordinator, and Paralegal with the District Attorney’s office, where I worked on complex cases intersecting with issues such as substance abuse, mental health, and sex trafficking. 

Now, I’m preparing to undertake an exciting new journey as the Co-Executive Director of Organizational Operations at LifeWire, and I am thrilled to contribute my dedication and energy to the Seattle area. 

As a proud Dominican American Latina, this role provides me with an even greater platform to champion racial equity and social justice. 

The upcoming move to Seattle excites me. I am eager to engage with the local community and strive to make a positive impact. As a mother to two incredible daughters, I am passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices, breaking down systemic barriers, and fostering a society that respects diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunities. This new chapter in my career is not merely a professional transition, but a deeply personal commitment to continue to propel positive societal change.

Please join me in warmly welcoming Janeira and her family to LifeWire!

Theresa Anderson (she/her/hers)
President, LifeWire Board of Directors

Meet LifeWire’s Dynamic Leaders: Housing and Services Directors

Alexis Harden, LifeWire Housing Director, and Liv Montgomery, LifeWire Services Director photographed with Valarie Buford and Karlah Ramírez-Tánori
Alexis Harden, LifeWire Housing Director, and Liv Montgomery, LifeWire Services Director, photographed with Valarie Buford and Karlah Ramírez-Tánori

We are excited to announce that we have successfully transitioned our Survivor Driven Services to a shared leadership structure between Olivia Montgomery, our new Services Director, and Alexis Harden, in a newly created position, Housing Director. By replicating our co-leadership model for our survivor-facing services, we have divided responsibilities between advocacy response and housing programs. Leveraging and braiding the wealth of experience in community research and racial and gender advocacy that Olivia brings to the role, with the extensive knowledge in local youth and family housing interventions Alexis holds, this partnership has been seamlessly working with our staff community to assess, align and enhance our shared commitment to survivors.

The benefits of this change have been quick and consistent over the last few months with a breadth of successes, including new and re-imagined partnerships with organizations like 4Tomorrow, the only culturally specific DV organization in Bellevue serving Latinx survivors, as well as For Goodness Cakes, an organization both feeding and feeding-into the development of youth in Washington. In addition, strategic changes have been made to our internal staffing structure to remove barriers, exponentially increasing response times for all survivors seeking services

For survivors, these changes show up as in-person family support for families in our housing programs. Families have enjoyed building community through outings to the aquarium, zoo, and museum, as well as participating in LifeWire’s survivor-centered BBQs, complete with food, games, and prizes. And, in our newly organized office space equipped with a resource room stocked with hygiene items, diapers, and children’s art supplies. We look forward to future developments and are thankful to Olivia and Alexis for their commitment to collective leadership and leading efforts to open a path to safety, stability, and healing for all survivors and their families. 

Survivor Maddy Brockert’s 12-Year Mission: Preventing Devastating Loss for Others.

BELLEVUE, Washington – At the age of 16, Maddy Brockert was forced to face the harsh reality of how unforgiving and unrelenting domestic violence is. Maddy was living in fear for her mother, who was with a verbally abusive man who continuously berated her. Maddy’s mother stood by him, but eventually, he killed her. “My mom was dead. I would never see her again. I would never hear her tell me she loved me or promise me that everything would be okay. My world was forever changed.”

Maddy had to accept that it was too late to help her mom, but she saw that she could help others by telling her story. She has made it her mission to speak out and do all she can to prevent it from happening to someone else.

“It’s true,” says Maddy Brockert. “I am a survivor of domestic violence. At 16 years old, I turned to LifeWire to learn all there was about domestic violence. I know that prevention is the key to keeping our community safe from violence. We have to speak out to educate our community. I’m asking you to join me.”

According to the Centers of Disease Control and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men report experiencing severe violence from their partners in their lifetimes. Intimate Partner Violence – What Is It and What Does It Look Like? | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA

In 2020, domestic violence crimes comprised 49.7% of all crimes that occurred against a person in Washington state. Washington State Domestic Violence Statistics (treyzlaw.com)

Domestic violence is one of the primary causes of homelessness for women and their children in the United States. Transitional Housing Programs and Empowering Survivors of Domestic Violence | OVW | Department of Justice

Maddy will speak on May 25, 2023, at LifeWire’s Hope Starts Here Lunch, the organization’s annual fundraiser at Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE 6th Street in Bellevue, Washington. KOMO 4 News Anchor Ryan Simms is serving as Emcee. 100% of the funds raised will provide life-saving programs and supportive services for survivors in need. This is your opportunity to meet LifeWire’s Leadership Team and learn about the amazing work that LifeWire is doing in the community. 

The program will include the presentation of LifeWire’s Community Partner of the Year Award to Beacon Development Group. LifeWire completed a Capital Campaign in 2022 and purchased a 25-unit apartment complex.  Beacon Development Group has been a strong partner for LifeWire throughout the remodel of the Hope Starts Here apartments and construction of a new Services Building. This project will provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, and comprehensive on-site services for domestic violence survivors facing the greatest safety risks and highest barriers to safe housing in our community. Thanks to this team, LifeWire will be able to help more survivors and children year after year find safety and stability and begin healing from the devastating effects of abuse. Together we are making our community a better place—one where every person lives in a safe environment and has the opportunity to thrive. To register for the Hope Starts Here Lunch, please visit www.lifewire.org. A suggested donation of $150 is encouraged, and all proceeds will benefit LifeWire programs and services. For more information about the event and to register, please visit www.lifewire.org  or contact Sukai Gaye, LifeWire’s Communications and Events Manager, at sukaig@lifewire.org or call 425-229-5305.

Introducing Freddy Vega

Freddy Vega, LifeWire’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Manager

After intentional planning and collaboration between staff and the Board of Directors, LifeWire has created a full-time Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) manager role. In October 2022, LifeWire welcomed Freddy Vega to this leadership position! He is helping LifeWire to continue to build equitable space for internal staff in alignment with our core values and mission to uplift and support survivors of domestic violence on their journeys toward safety, stability, and healing.

Hope Starts Here Lunch

Save the Date!

Join us on Thursday, May 25, 2023, and find out more about the amazing work that LifeWire is doing in our community to prevent and end domestic violence.

If you would like additional information, please contact Sukai Gaye, LifeWire Communications and Events Manager, at 425-229-5305 or sukaig@lifewire.org.

HSH Lunch 2023 Save the Date design

LifeWire Gala & Auction

Join us Saturday, October 14, 2023, at our annual Gala & Auction which brings together over 600 community guests for an evening of glamour and giving. Evening highlights include a dazzling wine reception and silent auction followed by a gourmet dinner and entertaining live auction. Sasha Summer Cousineau is our fabulous auctioneer! Check back for more details!

Your support makes a profound difference – providing compassionate services, safe housing, and hope – to domestic violence survivors, children, and families when they need it most.