rom humble beginnings as a single mom in a small Kentucky town,
to her meteoric rise as a country music superstar and American icon,
Naomi Judd, first known to the world as half of country music's
mother/daughter duo, The Judds, will share her personal story of
domestic violence during “Home Free”, the third annual benefit
luncheon in Forsyth County to end domestic violence.
Reaching unprecedented success throughout the 1980s and 1990s, The
Judds sold 20 million records, scored 15 number one hits and received
over 60 industry awards, including six Grammys and seven consecutive
CMA Vocal Group of the Year awards and the ACM's Top Vocal Duet
award. Even today, Naomi continues humanitarian efforts with many
charities including the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Hosted by Family Services and the Children’s Law Center of Central
North Carolina, “Home Free” is scheduled for October 16 from noon –
1:30 p.m. at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem. The
event, and Judd’s story, will be part of many activities during October’s
national Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a dedicated time to
educate and engage the community about the traumatic situations the
agencies address 365 days a year.
“Growing up I'd never even heard of domestic violence,” said Judd in
her 1993 autobiography, Love Can Build a Bridge. Naomi and her
young daughter experienced domestic violence when a former
boyfriend of Naomi's threatened, stalked and assaulted Naomi. She
recounts, "I wish there had been a shelter for battered women in West
Hollywood in 1973.”
“Home Free” is a unique community fundraising partnership that has
raised over $117,000 since 2012. Proceeds are shared equally by Family
Services and the Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina.
“Both of our agencies work tirelessly to serve families who have been
affected by violence in the home,” said Bob Feikema, president and
CEO, Family Services.
“Last year, 108 North Carolinians - beloved parents, daughters, sons,
friends and coworkers - were killed by someone close to them.
Thousands more suffered from physical and emotional abuse, or bear
the very real scars of witnessing violence at home.”
Naomi Judd / Home Free 2014 Keynote Speaker
Benton Convention Center 301 West Fifth Street, W-S 27101
12:00 p.m. Individual Tickets: $60 (STARTING 9/1/14)
To purchase tickets online www.htp://www.homefreenc.com
www.foothillstimes.com
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In 2004, her self-penned bestseller,
Naomi's Breakthrough Guide, 20 Choices
to Transform Your Life, remained on The
New York Times best-seller list for over
eight weeks. In 2005, Naomi wrote her third
children's book, Gertie the Goldfish, and in
2006, The Transparent Life hit the shelves.
Hallmark Channel tapped her to host,
Naomi's New Morning, a weekly talk show
that aired 2005 to 2007. In 2007, Naomi
released yet another best-seller titled
Naomi's Guide to Aging Gratefully which
was a message of empowerment to the
millions of Baby Boomers in this country.
She also served as spokesperson for
Partners Against Pain, Post Cereal's "Heart
Health" campaign, Prilosec and AARP. In
seasons 2008-2009 she helped launch
CMT's reality competition hit, Can You
Duet as a talent judge. And coming full
circle to where we first discovered this
unique, captivating personality, Naomi and
Wynonna took to the road in 2010.
Meanwhile, Naomi continues
humanitarian efforts including River Cities
Harvest, the Saint Louis University Liver
Center, M.A.D.D., Parents Television
Council, Make-A-Difference Day,
Women's World Peace Initiative, the
National Domestic Violence Hotline, and
created her own July 4th Judd's Annual
Food Drive to benefit families of
Appalachia.