Purple and Brown: A special visit and a gift for Nicole

City leaders and the Auburn Domestic Violence Task Force welcomed Denise Brown to the valley and joined her in planting a purple rhododendron in front of City Hall in honor of Brown's late sister, Nicole Brown Simpson.

By Mark Klaas • October 15, 2015 8:24 pm
Denise Brown arranges purple lights around the freshly planted rhododendron in front of City Hall on Thursday. The purple rhody was planted in honor of Brown's late sister
Denise Brown arranges purple lights around the freshly planted rhododendron in front of City Hall on Thursday. The purple rhody was planted in honor of Brown's late sister

City leaders and the Auburn Domestic Violence Task Force welcomed Denise Brown to the valley and joined her in planting a purple rhododendron in front of City Hall in honor of Brown’s late sister, Nicole Brown Simpson.

Brown appreciated the gesture while enjoying a sun-graced Thursday afternoon.

“This is so special,” Brown told the group. “It’s great to be here, and thank God, we have beautiful weather. I’m loving this.”

Purple is the appropriate hue, the color that represents domestic violence awareness. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Brown, of Southern California, is a special guest and keynote speaker at the inaugural Domestic Violence Awareness, Education and Prevention Event at 1 p.m. Friday at Grace Community Church, 1302 Auburn Way S.

The event is free, but space is limited. A few seats are still available.

Participants are encouraged to wear purple.

The DV Task Force – in coordination with the Community Response Against Domestic Violence, a nonprofit agency – hosts the event. The Muckleshoot Tribal Council supported the event with a generous donation.

Brown’s life changed since her sister’s murder more than 21 years ago.

On June 12, 1994, Nicole Brown, the ex-wife of O.J. Simpson, was found stabbed to death along with her friend outside her California home.

Brown has channeled her grief over her sister’s death into advocacy for women who live the same kind of violence she says her sister kept hidden before her death. She is working to stop domestic violence, and tours and speaks throughout the country on the issue at shelters, schools, churches, hospitals and prisons.

She also has established the Nicole Brown Foundation.

Doors for Friday’s event open at noon.

A silent auction and raffle precede the event from noon to 1 p.m. There will be walk down the path of Silent Witnesses.

Brown will be available after the program from 2:30 to 3 p.m. to meet, sign her book and share photo opportunities.

Cookies, cupcakes, coffee and water will be available during the event.

Because of the potential graphic nature of the event, children under the age of 13 are restricted. No daycare will be available.

Proceeds from the event support survivors of domestic violence.

For more information, call 253-261-6536 or visit www.auburnwa.gov/dv.

PHOTO BELOW:

Denise Brown, third from left, joins City leaders and the Domestic Violence Task Force in planting a rhododendron in honor of Brown’s late sister, Nicole. Mark Klaas, Auburn Reporter