The Women’s Center of Montgomery County, an organization centered on eliminating domestic violence, is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Thursday, October 15. The organization will hold a cocktail gala bringing together advocates, volunteers, organization founders and community leaders. The event will be held at The Highlands Mansion and Estate in Fort Washington at 7001 Sheaff Lane, and will last from 6 to 8 p.m.

Attendees will hear from keynote speaker Katie Koestner, an advocate for survivors of sexual violence. The gala also features the screening of a trailer for a documentary on the Women’s Center. The documentary is produced by Melissa Davey, a local filmmaker and producer. Tickets for the event are $150 per person and can be found here: 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration – Women’s Center of Montgomery County.

Founded in 1976, the Women’s Center was originally meant to provide job counseling and health services for women. However, shortly after launching, volunteers found that most of the calls they received were from domestic abuse victims seeking help. Since then, the organization has shifted its focus to preventing domestic violence and all forms of abuse.

Today, the Montgomery County Women’s Center offers counseling services, shelter, legal assistance, support groups and a 24-hour anonymous hotline from all of its four offices. The organization also provides community education on ways to avoid and identify domestic violence. The Montgomery County Women’s Center has partnered with hospitals, courts, schools and police departments to connect survivors with needed resources. Despite being a women’s center, the organization provides support for anyone facing any abuse. To learn more, visit their website here: Home – Women’s Center of Montgomery County

Though the center has helped over 200,000 survivors, domestic violence is an ongoing issue. According to the organization, one in three women and one in four men experience some form of abuse from a partner. To contact the Women’s Center of Montgomery County’s abuse hotline, call this number: 1-800-773-2424.

Photo – Leza Raffel via Comsolutions Group