NOW's Third Annual Intrepid Awards Gala

Honoree: Josie Ashton

When Josie Ashton heard about the brutal murder of Gladys Ricart-a 39-year old Dominican woman killed on her wedding day by an abusive ex-boyfriend-she resigned her position in the domestic violence unit of the State Attorney's Office in Miami to raise awareness about domestic violence in the Latina community. After obtaining permission from the Ricart family to walk in Ricart's memory, Ashton donned her own wedding dress and on Sept. 26, 2001 — the second anniversary of Ricart's death — walked from the New Jersey home where Ricart was killed to Miami, Florida, spending nights in numerous domestic violence shelters along the way. When asked what inspired her 1,600-mile march down the East Coast, Ashton said, "I was very upset about people's ignorance about domestic violence and their willingness to blame the victim. We need to scream at the top of our lungs that we are here, that we have laws, legislation and programs to help women. They just don't know that help is there for them."

Ashton's month-long walk inspired the "Brides' March," which has taken place every year since then on Sept. 26. Organized by the New York Latinas Against Domestic Violence (NYLADV), this six-mile march pays tribute to Ricart and also disseminates bilingual information to the Latino community on the issue of domestic violence and the services available to victims. Ashton's first march in 2001 has also inspired annual "bride's marches" against domestic violence in New York, Miami, Washington, D.C., and other cities across the United States.

She is currently Executive Director of the Safespace Foundation, which offers financial assistance, information, referrals and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence. A cum laude graduate of Florida International University with a degree in Criminal Justice, Ashton is currently working on her masters degree at FIU.

		NOW and the NOW FOUNDATION'S Third Annual

TICKETS, TABLES OR CONTRIBUTIONS HONOREES SPONSORS HOST COMMITTEES MENU SEND THIS PAGE		Honoree: Josie Ashton When Josie Ashton heard about the brutal murder of Gladys Ricart-a 39-year old Dominican woman killed on her wedding day by an abusive ex-boyfriend-she resigned her position in the domestic violence unit of the State Attorney's Office in Miami to raise awareness about domestic violence in the Latina community. After obtaining permission from the Ricart family to walk in Ricart's memory, Ashton donned her own wedding dress and on Sept. 26, 2001 — the second anniversary of Ricart's death — walked from the New Jersey home where Ricart was killed to Miami, Florida, spending nights in numerous domestic violence shelters along the way. When asked what inspired her 1,600-mile march down the East Coast, Ashton said, "I was very upset about people's ignorance about domestic violence and their willingness to blame the victim. We need to scream at the top of our lungs that we are here, that we have laws, legislation and programs to help women. They just don't know that help is there for them." Ashton's month-long walk inspired the "Brides' March," which has taken place every year since then on Sept. 26. Organized by the New York Latinas Against Domestic Violence (NYLADV), this six-mile march pays tribute to Ricart and also disseminates bilingual information to the Latino community on the issue of domestic violence and the services available to victims. Ashton's first march in 2001 has also inspired annual "bride's marches" against domestic violence in New York, Miami, Washington, D.C., and other cities across the United States. She is currently Executive Director of the Safespace Foundation, which offers financial assistance, information, referrals and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence. A cum laude graduate of Florida International University with a degree in Criminal Justice, Ashton is currently working on her masters degree at FIU.