Women Aware is celebrating 50 years of helping victim survivors of domestic violence in Middlesex County, NJ, move beyond abuse.

New! Book Signing

Included with your ticket is an exclusive opportunity to meet with three remarkable authors. Join us from 4 - 5 pm in the Donor Lounge on the second floor at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.

BRAND NEW! Women Aware CEO Phyllis Yonta wrote Miraculous Catastrophe, an inspirational Christian fiction that explores a journey of faith, purpose, and personal transformation. The book follows the author's experience as a successful young leader whose life is interrupted by a profound crisis, forcing her to confront fear, adversity, and questions about her calling. Through that struggle, she discovers deeper meaning, spiritual growth, and a renewed understanding of God's purpose for her life, offering readers a message of hope, resilience, and trust in God's plan even during life's most difficult challenges.

Lisa Johnson is an author and advocate who writes about toxic relationships, high-conflict divorce, parental alienation, and recovery after emotionally difficult relationships. She is the author of Been There Got Out, a book focused on navigating separation from a high-conflict former partner and maintaining well-being during and after the process.

Diane Simovich published Towards The Light, a powerful collection of seventeen personal stories from women who survived domestic violence and overcame extraordinary adversity to rebuild their lives.

Please join us in celebrating our special guests:

Honorees:

Voice of Civic Leadership

The Honorable James M. Cahill - Mayor of New Brunswick

James M. Cahill is the 62nd Mayor of the City of New Brunswick and a lifelong resident. He has served continuously since 1991, guiding the city through a transformation from a declining industrial town to a thriving, modern 21st-century urban center.

Mayor Cahill has fostered collaboration among the private sector, healthcare institutions, Rutgers University, Middlesex County, and the New Brunswick Development Corporation, attracting over $10 billion in investment for housing, commercial, education, and healthcare development.

The city has become New Jersey’s premier healthcare and technology hub, home to renowned hospitals and medical and technology research centers with strong community outreach.

Mayor Cahill has coordinated the preservation of open space and the development of new parks and recreational facilities for all ages while all the City’s existing parks have undergone significant renovations and upgrades.

He has partnered with the Board of Education in building six new schools, expanding and completely renovating others, starting the New Brunswick Health Sciences Technologies High School, the first school in New Jersey with a focus on training students for careers in the healthcare industry or to pursue an advanced degree in medical fields of study and the P-TECH Campus offers the opportunity to simultaneously earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in Engineering or an Engineering-related field.

Voice of Community Impact

Rupa M. Khetarpal, Ph.D.

Rupa M. Khetarpal, PhD, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey and New York with over 20 years of experience specializing in trauma and interpersonal violence. She serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Trauma Consulting, Training and Clinical Services (TCTCS), where she leads organizational strategy and supports the delivery of trauma-informed counseling, consultation, and training. Dr. Khetarpal has extensive experience working with survivors of torture, domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence. Formerly an Associate Professor of Teaching at the Rutgers School of Social Work and Director of the Certificate on Interpersonal Violence and Trauma (C-IVT), she is committed to educating future social workers. Her clinical and research interests include complex trauma, refugee mental health, and culturally responsive care. She currently serves on the Board of SAMHIN, advancing culturally grounded mental health education, partnerships, and advocacy within South Asian communities.

Voice of Empowerment

Diane Simovich

Diane Simovich is the Founder and President of BW NICE (Business Women Networking Involving Charity & Education), an organization she established in 2009 to empower women through networking, education, and charitable outreach. Inspired by her own personal journey and professional career, Diane created BW NICE to provide women with meaningful connections, resources, and opportunities to give back. Today, BW NICE chapters support local organizations dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual abuse while raising awareness and critical funding within their communities.

In 2017, Diane published Towards The Light, a collection of powerful stories from survivors of domestic violence, amplifying voices of hope and resilience. That same year, she received the Barbara W. McConnell Social Justice Award for her advocacy and commitment to supporting survivors. Diane's unwavering passion continues to inspire women to lead with purpose, compassion, and the belief that together, they can create lasting change.

Voice of Partnership

Through strategic donations and sponsorships, and the volunteerism and generosity of our employees, Enbridge supports local organizations that contribute to the safety, vibrancy and sustainability of the places we call home.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Amplify Sponsor

Courage Sponsor

Change Sponsor

Advocacy Sponsors

Sponsorship Opportunities:

$25,000 - Exclusive Presenting Sponsors (two spots)

Recognition as one of two presenting sponsors on invitations, event website and signage with prominent logo display on event screens
Exclusive recognition on Purpletober collateral*
Inside front or back cover of print journal/catalog
Company logo/hyperlink listed on website and in event publicity
Logo on cocktail napkins
10 tickets with VIP theater seating (tickets may be donated so survivors may attend)
Public recognition during program
Purpletober educational collateral and purple ribbon

$10,000 - Amplify Sponsor

Recognition as Amplify Sponsor on event website and signage with prominent logo display on event screens
Full-page ad in print journal/catalog
Company logo/hyperlink listed on website and in event publicity
7 tickets with preferred theater seating (tickets may be donated so survivors may attend)
Public recognition during program
Purpletober educational collateral and purple ribbon*

$7,500 - Courage Sponsor

Recognition as Courage sponsor on event website and signage with logo display on screens
Half-page ad in print journal/catalog
Company logo/hyperlink listed on website and in event publicity
5 tickets with preferred theater seating (tickets may be donated so survivors may attend)
Purpletober educational collateral and purple ribbon*

$5,000 - Change Sponsor

Recognition as Change sponsor on event website and signage with logo display on screens
Quarter-page ad in print journal/catalog
Company logo/hyperlink listed on website and in event publicity
2 tickets - general theater seating (tickets may be donated so survivors may attend)
Purpletober educational collateral and purple ribbon*

$2,500 - Advocacy Sponsor

Recognition as Advocacy Sponsor on event website and signage with logo display on screens
Logo in print journal/catalog
Company logo/hyperlink listed on website and in event publicity
1 ticket- general theater seating (ticket may be do9nated to a survivor)
Purpletober educational collateral and purple ribbon*

What is Purpletober?

Purpletober is an educational outreach initiative designed to equip organizations thorughout Middlesex County to educate and empower constituents, customers, and employees about domestic violence during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Purpletober will culminate in Women Aware's 50th anniversary celebration on October 20, The Spotlight Awards: 50 Years of Voices of Courage & Change.

The Spotlight Awards: 50 Years - Voices of Courage & Change