A grass-roots committee of women in the Minnedosa area are championing women who are victims of sexual and domestic violence through Project Songbird, a night of fun, song and camaraderie through karaoke!

The initiative was inspired by Rapid City resident, Jessica Rauper, who heard a compelling presentation by Shelley Wray, chairperson of the Women's Resource Centre in Brandon. Wray presented to an audience of women at last year's Women of Westman conference in Brandon, sharing on the numerous resources they offer, but also on the statistics of how many women experience violence.

Rauper experienced sexual assault 15 years ago and has since been on her own healing journey. 

"There are just so many people who have experienced something similar to what I've experienced.  In fact, one in four women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, and 60% of them will experience that before they turn 18," says Rauper.

"And that is not a future that I want my children to live in," she adds. "I'm a mom of four young children and I thought 'what can I be doing to turn my own trauma and my own pain into something that can bring harmony and healing to the community?' After listening to Shelley speak, I was really inspired by her call to action to this community of powerful women.  Like, what are we doing to support our sisters in our community who are going through this right now?"

"This karaoke event seemed like a really great way to give back to community and to bring some light to a conversation that I don't think is talked about nearly enough."

In her own journey of healing, Rauper recognized that speaking up about what happened to her helped to protect the next woman who could potentially be a victim by the same offender.

"Because chances are really good that if this happened to me, it happened to somebody else by the same person, and I have three daughters. It isn't about me. It's about my children, and their friends and future generations to come. I don't want them to experience this. So, what kind of future do I want to create for them?"

"In sharing my story and creating the conversations and providing spaces for women to gather, the goal is to really bring this to light and have conservations so we can begin to heal and educate our entire community, because it is also something that affects men."

"And it does take courage and it is not easy," she adds.

"For me it was to let go of the control piece and let go of an outcome.  It's not about seeking revenge or needing to have justice. But if I say that I am a standing advocate for women to raise their voices and share their stories, I just felt like this was the next thing for me to do because I believe the power comes from the sharing, and when you can say it then it's no longer just mine to hold on my own."

"For me in my own experience I really lost my voice along the way," shares Rauper, "and something that is important to me is singing! So, it felt like just a natural fit to do a karaoke party so that we can empower women no matter where they are in their journey, to reclaim their voices, and to remind them that their voice does matter, and that they can make a difference."

Rauper is hoping to raise $15,000 for the Women's Resource Centre in Brandon.  She says she chose the number 15 because in her own experience it was 15 years that she stayed silent about her violent attack.  "I thought I needed to pick a number, so ... $1000 for every year I didn't make the [police] report and it would be a substantial amount that could make a really big difference for the Women's Resource Centre, and every dollar helps."

Please listen to more with Jessica Rauper below!

Project Songbird takes place at the Ukrainian Hall in Minnedosa this Saturday, April 20th at 7:00 pm.  Bring $25 entry free and extra money for the silent auction, and don't forget your singing voice!

"You can expect a really fun night of community and singing," shares Rauper. "We'll also have the local ZOOMBA group coming to do some dancing, creating an interactive presentation for all of us!  It's going to be a great opportunity to get out with your friends, have a girl's night out and sing our hearts out!"