In Honor of Kasandra Wade

Those of you in Pittsburgh know that today there is a candle light vigil being held for our friend Kasandra Wade who was killed by her ex boyfriend two weeks ago, leaving her son motherless & our community shattered. That day she called 911 but when the police came - her ex said to them from the window of her apartment that everything was fine. That they did not need to come in. And without even seeing her they left. The next day they found her dead. Her ex shot her & then later that day he shot himself. The "What Ifs...." plague us.

I am in Brazil. Here I have met with the female Chief of Police for all of Rio (who is a woman), I have visited "women's police stations" that serve women & where female police officers are in charge, I have heard & learned so many new perspectives on how the women here are struggling & problem solving these complex issues here. I will write more later tonight. But for now here are pictures of Veronica & I with the Police Chief & at the women's police station. I have told all of them of Kasandra & while you in Pittsburgh are at the rally. We will be thinking of her & all of you from the other side of the Equator.