On April 28, The Angel Band Project took our music on the road to Madison, WI. There, we were invited to share our story at the Voices of Courage Awards Luncheon. It was a powerful tribute to the survivors of sexual violence and their allies and advocates who work every day to make life better.
Jen shared her personal story of survival in the aftermath of her and Teresa’s tragedy with this intimate audience. Her courage to stand up and speak was nothing short of remarkable. She got a standing ovation upon finishing her speech, and we finished off our presentation with a video of the Angel Band Project story. To look around the room, and know all of the brave survivors who are on their own journeys of healing were somehow touched by the music, the story, and Jen’s strength, created quite an impact for all of us.
Afterwards, we walked about three blocks in the misty rain and cold to the Capitol. There, a crowd of over 100 literally “wrapped around the capitol” holding 10 foot strips of denim, a nod to Denim Day which had been celebrated two days prior.
As Jen took the microphone and led a beautiful medley of three songs from the “Take you with me” album, these survivors and advocates rallied for peace, justice, and hope. It was really cool to look out into the crowd and see people singing along to our title track, “Take you with me.” (Hannah, you would have been proud!)
At one point, I remember looking over at Jean, watching Jen sing, and then glancing up at the sky. I just felt that Teresa was watching and smiling down on us that afternoon.
Led by the strong women of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Office of Justice Assistance, we joined together in taking a stand to keep fighting on behalf of survivors of sexual violence.
We were honored to be a part of these events, and we are more energized than ever to “take the music where we go.” One song at a time, one survivor at a time.
