Gilded Cage 2019

We held our 4th Annual Gilded Cage fundraiser at the Los Altos Golf and Country Club on September 26, 2019, thanks to the generous support of philanthropists Pamela and Ed Taft.

Over 150 supporters attended the Gilded Cage, including District Attorney Jeff Rosen, his Chief Assistant District Attorney Jay Boyarsky, Chair of the Domestic Violence Death Review Team James Gibbons Shapiro—which WomenSV’s Executive Director Ruth Darlene also serves on—Assemblymember Marc Berman, Senator Jerry Hill’s Policy Aide Lisa Chung, former Palo Alto Mayor Liz Kniss, Former Sunnyvale Mayor Julia Miller, Former Mayors of Los Altos Penny and Roy Lave, current Mayor of Los Altos Lynette Lee Eng, publishers of the Town Crier Liz and Paul Nyberg, LACF Executive Director Joe Eyre, Enchante developer and owner Abby Ahrens, and Los Altan of the Year Dennis Young. Roy Lave and Dennis Young are also WomenSV Board members.

The Gilded Cage event included a live and silent auction with prizes such as a ridealong in Sheriff Laurie Smith’s police helicopter, lunch with Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, a behind the scenes tour of Channel 7 News Studio, a flight in a private amphibian plane and a stay in the honeymoon suite of the Enchante Hotel in downtown Los Altos.

WomenSV’s main sponsor was Courtyard by Marriott. The auction raised $90,000 to help WomenSV continue its vital services for survivors trapped in relationships with powerful, sophisticated abusers. Their services include a helpline, weekly support groups both for newcomers and graduates of the WomenSV program, as well as court, police station and attorney accompaniments so survivors don't have to face their abuser alone.

WomenSV also provides ongoing individualized safety planning on all forms of abuse, including the more subtle forms such as emotional, technological, financial and legal. Since so many survivors experience severe financial abuse, WomenSV does not charge for its services and therefore deeply appreciates the support they receive from the community, including the Los Altos City Council which generously donated $20,000 presented at the event by Los Altos Mayor Lynette Lee Eng.

This additional support will help WomenSV to not only continue their existing services, but also expand their program to educate a broader audience of providers locally and eventually around the country on the needs and special challenges of domestic abuse survivors in middle-to-upper income areas.

Thanks to everyone who helped make our Gilded Cage event a huge success! To get more information about the 2020 event, or if you are interested in sponsorship opportunties, please contact info@womensv.org.

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