A Day of Empowerment 

Before Captain Wanessa Moore planned the first Women’s Empowerment Day at The Salvation Army’s Northern Kentucky Corps, the center was already a welcoming space for survivors of trauma. 

“A lot of the women who come for help are suffering from trauma, mental illness, and depression, especially after the pandemic,” Captain Moore says. “There was one client who came to us after losing a family member to COVID-19. It had left her in such a deep depression that she lost her job and her home.” 

Along with the usual support offered by The Salvation Army, such as food and utility assistance, the woman also asked for undergarments and feminine hygiene products. 

“We took some time to pray with her and get to know her better; she had some underlying self-esteem issues from not being able to provide for her own needs,” says Moore. 

When a survivor of domestic violence came to the corps seeking help, she too asked for undergarments and hygiene products. Their situations were different, but the two women had both suffered trauma and were looking for the same needs to be met. 

“We could supply them with what they needed, but we also wanted to meet with women like them in a deeper way, letting them know that they matter and deserve encouragement.” 

Members of the corps decided to use a donation from a local philanthropy to buy a hair washing station, then held their first Women’s Empowerment Day. They reached out to local hairdressers about doing a day of pampering for the women who came to The Salvation Army. Women’s Empowerment Day has become a recurring event. 

“Supercuts brings their stylists, along with manicurists, free hair products, and coupons for future visits,” says Moore. “They’ve been superstars at this event since the beginning.” 

In addition to offering gifts and meals, vendors come to talk about the social services available to women. The Women’s Auxiliary donates clothing and even gets sizes ahead of time, so that every attendee can receive something to wear. The women are given a bag with a Bible, feminine hygiene products, and gifts from the vendors. Some of those representatives had themselves benefited from a past Women’s Empowerment Day; now on the other side of the table, they can say to the women, “I was once where you are, so I can tell you that there’s hope.” 

In 2023, Charity Guild of Northern Kentucky donated money to buy bras for all the women. After receiving the gift of new undergarments, one woman gathered her belongings and ran out before lunch. Captain Moore thought that someone had said something to offend her, but later, the woman came back, excited to share news. 

“She said the gifts had given her the confidence and motivation to apply for a job at Wendy’s. She had put it off for a long time, but when she finally went, she was hired on the spot,” says Moore. “That was when we knew Women’s Empowerment Day was working as we had intended it.” 

Even small gifts can make a big difference. When the women also received free Starbucks Frappuccino drinks, the gesture gave them a sense of self-worth that many people take for granted. 

“Living in shelters and under such circumstances doesn’t allow you little treats like that. When you only have $5 in your pocket, you’re not spending four of them on coffee,” says Moore. 

But Women’s Empowerment Day is about more than a free iced coffee or new clothing. It’s about creating an environment of compassion where women who go through traumatic situations can share their stories without feeling shame or receiving judgment. 

“No one who comes to Women’s Empowerment Day should ever feel like the odd woman out,” Moore says. “I want them to know that, at The Salvation Army, there’s a community that has their back and wants to help them feel empowered.” 

How to help someone with trauma: 

Get informed. Trauma can be the traumatic event itself, or the stress in response to it. Some people can recover quickly from their experience; others endure long-lasting hardships. Common responses to trauma are nightmares, feelings of anxiousness, disassociation, and sudden triggers. 

Practice active listening. Focus more on hearing what the person is saying rather than responding to it. People who have experienced trauma will always benefit from being heard without feeling judged or pressured. 

Assist with routine tasks. Post-traumatic stress can make it difficult to concentrate on doing daily tasks. Offer to help prepare meals, go food shopping, or clean the house. 

Know what to say. Some comments can hurt more than help, even if said with good intentions. Make sure that what you say assures trust and an openness to help. (“I’m here for you.” ”Thank you for trusting me.”) Avoid comments that make assumptions or can sound dismissive. (“I know how you feel.” “Can’t you move on?”) 

Take time for self-care. Secondary trauma causes distress from witnessing or having knowledge of a loved one’s traumatic event. Remember to make time and look after yourself while caring for others.