News
Large crowd gathers to honor victims during YWCA OKC's Wreath of Hope Ceremony
Eighty-two purple and white flags flew on the south lawn of the Oklahoma State Capitol this week in memory of victims murdered in Oklahoma last year during domestic violence. 
It was a fitting and somber backdrop to the 12th annual Wreath of Hope Ceremony YWCA OKC holds every year to remember victims, honor survivors and celebrate the great work being done by service agencies across the state.
More than 200 people attended the ceremony that was kicked off when dozens of Department of Human Services employees held a silent march across the State Capitol complex.
We also had a great lineup of speakers including Rev. Lori Walke, Attorney General Mike Hunter, DHS Director Justin Brown, OKC Police Chief Wade Gourley and Congresswoman Kendra Horn.
Congresswoman Horn then introduced our survivor speaker, Nicole, who was one of the first people to ever stay in our new Gaylord Emergency Shelter. Nicole told the story about how she and her four kids had to seek shelter after her abusive ex-husband elevated his attacks and pointed a gun at her while her kids slept.
She talked about how she knew it was bad, but found hope when someone dialed the State Safeline number and handed her the phone to talk with an advocate. Thank you to Nicole and all our guests today at Wreath of Hope!
