Project R.E.S.T. Honored at Be HER Champion Women’s Day Celebration
On March 8th, Project R.E.S.T. had the privilege of attending the Be HER Champion Women’s Day Celebration at the Piedmont Club, created by renowned community philanthropist and women’s advocate Marjy Marj, and hosted by the Spartanburg County Foundation. At this inspiring event, we were honored to be recognized as a Just Because Grant Recipient. The celebration brought together remarkable women from across Spartanburg to uplift one another and celebrate progress, resilience, and the ongoing fight for women’s empowerment.
During the celebration, we had the opportunity to share the impact of our work with the community. In a room full of strong and inspiring women, we highlighted some sobering realities:
- 1 in 4 adult women experience intimate partner violence.¹
- Over 42% of young female college students have been sexually assaulted.
These numbers are more than statistics—they represent real women, real struggles, and a real need for change. We emphasized that domestic and sexual violence are community issues, and supporting survivors requires the collective effort of everyone in our community.
We also expressed our deep gratitude to the Spartanburg County Foundation, whose generous support has been instrumental in our work since 1985 when they awarded us our very first grant. Their commitment to our mission continues to make a difference in the lives of survivors and their families.
Throughout the event, our team engaged with attendees at our vendor table, providing information about the services we offer to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Project R.E.S.T.’s Vendor Table at Be HER Champion Women’s Day Celebration
Additionally, our very own Project R.E.S.T. Board Member Becca Mathis, CFP (financial advisor with Jeter Hrubala Wealth Strategies, LLC) took the stage as a panelist. She delivered an empowering message on financial self-care for women, encouraging attendees to pay themselves first by prioritizing savings and retirement planning. Her insights reinforced the importance of economic independence as a key pillar of personal empowerment.
This event was a true celebration of women uplifting women, and we are grateful to have been part of such an inspiring gathering. Thank you to the Spartanburg County Foundation for their continued support and for making this celebration possible!
Photo credit: Arialle Kennedy Smith
Sources
¹ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2018. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499891/
