JUST BETWEEN GIRLFRIENDS FOUNDATION GIRLS NIGHT OUT TOUR 2007 TO RAISE AWARENESS

Carolyn Thomas’ ex-boyfriend shot her in the head, leaving her without a face. Then, he shot and killed her mother. Yvette Cade was set on fire by her estranged husband as she worked. Each year, more than five million women are victimized by domestic violence and nearly 1,500 are killed; it’s a national epidemic that affects women from all backgrounds. Just Between Girlfriends Foundation, a 501 (c) 3, nonprofit women’s organization will kick off it’s 4th annual GIRLS NIGHT OUT TOUR to raise money and awareness to help combat domestic violence. The tour, with stops in New York, Houston, Atlanta, Tampa, Chicago and Columbia, is designed to draw attention to the issue of domestic violence and encourage women to speak out.

“Domestic Violence is a serious problem,” said JBG Foundation Executive Director Chrisena Coleman, who is also an award-winning journalist at the New York Daily News. “It’s the dirty little secret that our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, daughters, girlfriends, neighbors and co-workers have dealt with in private, but it's time to break the cycle of silence and take action against those who abuse.”
Coleman, 43, who called off a wedding years ago after her boyfriend got physical, decided to take on the domestic violence issue after covering countless stories about women who were abused. She was particularly inspired to do something after interviewing a Bronx woman who had been shot in the face by her boyfriend, before the shot and killed himself.

“It wasn’t enough to just write Angela’s story,” said Coleman, who founded JBG in 1998. “She was a beautiful young mother with everything to live for and one day it all ended. Her ex-boyfriend refused to accept that she no longer wanted him.”
Though domestic violence is no laughing matter, the Girls Night Out Tour will focus on friendship, philanthropy and lots of fun —- a party with a purpose. In addition to a silent auction, entertainment, girly games and fun, JBG will distribute literature about domestic violence and feature stories of survivors as well as domestic violence experts.

The tour will celebrate unity and strengthen bonds between women while raising money for a good cause. Girls Night Out Tour 2007 will raise funds for local domestic violence organizations and JBG Foundation’s Random Acts of Kindness Campaign., which also supports domestic violence victims and programs. This fun-filled evening will leave attendees uplifted and energized as women join together to share their personal stories of strength, hope and inner beauty.

Tickets are available at www.justbetweengirlfriends.com or call 201.457.1635 for local ticket outlets. For group sales call JBG for discount pricing.

Tour Schedule: March 13, Fizz Restaurant, NYC; March 30, Cotton Exchange, Houston; April 20, Paschal’s at Castleberry Inn, Atlanta; May 4, Sheraton Suites, Tampa; May 18, Boutique, Chicago; June 1, Capital City Club, Columbia, SC.

To Schedule Interviews With Chrisena Coleman, please call 201.983.7941