Denise Brown, sister of the late Nichole Brown Simpson, came to Amelia Island for the Micah's Place Painting a Brighter Future annual campaign event. Held at the beautiful Walker's Landing on the marsh of Amelia Island, guests enjoyed extraordinary food from Biscotti's.
Ms. Brown shared her story, some of which was difficult but most of which was very hopeful. Born in Germany and raised in Southern California, Denise Brown
led a life remarkable only in its normalcy until June 12, 1994 when her sister,
Nicole Brown Simpson, was murdered. If you were to ask Denise to describe
herself prior to this tragic event, you would have heard, "I'm just a mom from
Laguna Beach." Brown's life path dramatically altered, she would now tell you
that along with her devotion to her son, Sean, she is also committed to raising
awareness against domestic violence - a crime that kills three women every day
in the United States.
Since early 1995 Denise Brown has traveled to various states
speaking on the epidemic of domestic violence. She has addressed university
student bodies, men in prison and in batterers' treatment programs, women at
risk, church groups and various educational and legislative forums. Ms. Brown
has helped raise funds for local shelters all across the country with her
appearances, and has assisted in the success of a major project called the Vine
System. This Program is an automated victim notification service of the release
of batterers from jail or prison.
As part of her commitment, Ms. Brown has worked to help pass a
variety of legislative solutions for domestic violence. One of her most
important projects was to lobby on behalf of the Violence Against Women Act.
Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania contacted Ms. Brown and asked for her
assistance on a portion of the bill that was being stalled in committee in the
U.S. Senate. With a potential slashing of its federal allocation to domestic
violence services, Denise Brown testified to the U.S. Senate Appropriations
Committee for increased funding for the Violence Against Women Act. After her
testimony, that portion of the bill's funding was increased from eighteen
million to thirty-two million dollars. U.S. Senators Biden and Hatch have cited
Denise Brown as "having done more for the issue of domestic violence than any
other individual."
Denise Brown has made a life-long commitment to educate the
public as well as improve the quality of living for women and children who have
been victims of domestic violence, She is determined to banish the darkness and
end the silence.
