Nicole Brown Simpson's sister speaks at WINGS gala

If there was a poster child for victims of domestic abuse, it would be Denise Brown, whose sister Nicole Brown Simpson was murdered in 1994, in front of Simpson's Brentwood, Calif., home, with Buffalo Grove native, Ron Goldman.

Since her sister's murder, Brown has waged an unrelenting campaign in fighting domestic abuse, including promoting awareness and education, and lobbying in Congress for more legislative support.

On Saturday, she preached to the choir, in a sense, as she spoke to supporters of Women In Need Growing Stronger (WINGS), who shelter victims of domestic abuse in the Northwest suburbs, and advocate for their rights.

Brown headlined their "Purple Tie Ball," held at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg. The gala drew 250 guests, many of whom wore purple -- the color of domestic violence -- in a ballroom decorated with black and silver linens, with purple bows tied to the backs of their chairs.

"When my sister was murdered 13 years ago, I made a commitment to her -- and to myself -- that I would travel the world to make a difference,"

Brown said, as she opened her nearly 30-minute talk. Her goal, she said, was to break the cycle of violence, that often starts with verbal and emotional abuse, and escalates into physical abuse. And while it claims countless women's lives, it remains a hidden secret, she added.

"I was the first to say that Nicole was not abused -- because I didn't know," Brown said. "I only learned about what happened to Nicole through her notes and diaries."

Worst of all, Brown added, is the number of children who witness the abuse, thereby continuing the cycle of violence. She stated that 8.8 million children witness domestic violence each year.

"That's why we need to educate women about the cycle of violence, but I truly believe we begin with little children," Brown said, before describing a book she used, called, "Hands Are Not For Hitting."

"We have to start with the kids, and teach them the good things these hands are for."

Rebecca Darr, WINGS executive director, said the gala and its headliner, reflected the quality and growth of the agency, which operates 23 transitional sites in the Northwest suburbs, as well as its Safe House in Rolling Meadows.

Rita Canning of Inverness, WINGS board chairman, said that while the agency had achieved its dream of establishing the shelter and its most recent Safe House, its larger goal is to ensure its financial stability, which has begun to develop with the establishment of the endowment fund started last year.