NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TN Tribune) – YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee hosted the 12th annual Wine Women & Shoes, presented by Regions on Saturday, April 13, at the Music City Center. The event – named Nashville’s Best Women’s Event two years in a row by Nfocus Magazine – did not disappoint and raised $620,000, as more than 500 individuals and 100 volunteers of diverse ages and backgrounds, gathered together for a singular cause – supporting YWCA’s Weaver Domestic Violence Center and the women and children it serves every day.
“The generosity of the Nashville community is overwhelming,” said Sharon Roberson, president and CEO of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. “This event is vital for our team to continue providing resources to survivors in need of safety, healing and hope. Our guests – roughly half of whom were attending for the very first time – opened their hearts to make sure women, children and families are safe and healing, all while having a fun and fabulous time together.”
Attendees put on their best shoes and spent the afternoon shopping the marketplace, participating in silent and live auctions, wine tastings and pulls, “Best in Shoe” contest, and “Key to the California Closet.” The mission moment shined a spotlight on the YWCA’s pet shelter, Abbie’s Safe Home. Finding a shelter that can take a pet is a tremendous barrier to victims seeking safety. In 2021, YWCA removed that barrier and opened the largest pet shelter in Tennessee for victims of domestic violence.
Over the past decade, Wine Women & Shoes has raised millions of dollars for YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee to provide safety and shelter to thousands of women and children who turn to the Weaver Domestic Violence Center in their greatest time of need. Nearly 5,000 calls for help were answered and over 400 women and children were served at the Weaver Center in 2023. As of April 15, 2024, there have been 2,729 domestic violence victims reported in Davidson County, and the vast majority of victims range in age from 20 to 44 years old.
Wine Women & Shoes 2024 was co-chaired by Jorie Kersey and May Lavender. The event sponsors include Regions, Deloitte, California Closets, Fifth Third Bank, Amazon, Tennessee Titans, Destination Musick City, Ingram, HCA Hospital | TriStar Health, Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville, Diversified Trust, Holland & Knight, FW Publishing, Nashville General Hospital, 1834, a division of Old National Bank, and LBMC Cares Foundation.
