First Selectman Bruce Walczak issued his latest proclamation on September 22, responding to a request from Newtown Woman’s Club ahead of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) International Day of Service on September 26.

The local club is again joining women’s clubs around the world to participate in GFWC’s signature program, Domestic & Sexual Violence Awareness & Prevention.

As noted in the proclamation signed by the first selectman earlier this week, the World Health Organization has said between 736 and 852 million women age 12 and over have experienced domestic and sexual violence in the United States. Further, Connecticut statistics for 2025 indicate one in three women — or 31% — and one in seven men — 13.9% — experience partner physical and sexual violence.

Newtown Woman’s Club has promised to focus projects on raising awareness of child abuse, elder abuse, intimate partner abuse, teen dating violence, military sexual abuse, and trafficking for sexual purposes.

Immediately following the signing event this week, Newtown Woman’s Club members Jo-Ann Bruno and Gina Pin headed to the southern entrance of Newtown Municipal Center and then the courtyard area of Edmond Town Hall to install pinwheel gardens. The temporary installations will remain in place through October, highlighting Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Members of the local club also received large purple bows during the club’s September 17 business luncheon. They will hang those ribbons on doors, lamp posts, mailboxes, vehicles, and other locations around town within the next week, to highlight the solemn observance approaching this month.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.