Roberta Millard. Annie Mae Washington. Lonnie Franks. Brenda Runyon. Sandra Ely.

These are just a few of the dozens of names that were read out by candlelight Tuesday evening at the Cassopolis branch of the Cass District Library.

These women were being remembered, not for something they accomplished, but for how they died. Millard, Washington, Franks, Runyon, Ely and the many other remembered Tuesday were women who died at the hands of domestic violence in Cass and St. Joseph counties.

“We cannot forget these women. We need to remember their names,” said Deborah Hackwork, the director of Advocacy Services for Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services in Cass County. “We keep their names alive and remind people that domestic abuse is still a widespread problem.”

Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services hosted its annual candlelight vigil to raise awareness about domestic violence during domestic violence awareness month. 

The event included an invocation by Pastor Michael Anderson of the First Baptist Church of Vandalia and a keynote speech by Judge Susan Dobrich, a probate judge in Cass County. Following Dobrich’s speech, friends and strangers alike in the audience lit each other’s candles for a reading of the names of those who lost their lives to domestic violence.

A second vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the St. Joseph County Courthouse.

“This event is just one of the ways that we recognize October as domestic violence awareness month,” Hackworth said. “Domestic violence isn’t something that is random or haphazard. It’s something that is happening every day in so many homes. We just want to let people know, first, that they are not alone, and second, that there is help. So, we are here to shine a light on this issue.”

In her speech, Dobrich talked about how domestic violence is a generational issue that can affect anyone regardless of the age, race, political affiliation or gender. She also gave statistics about how many are affected by domestic violence and how domestic violence can lead women back into the courtroom, due to it leading to life and substance abuse problems down the line.

Despite all her experience with victims of domestic violence in the courts and with advocacy groups, Dobrich said that domestic violence still lacks the awareness that it needs.

“Domestic violence is often a family secret. It stays in the dark,” she said. “That needs to change. It can change.”

While Dobrich said she told the academic side of domestic violence, attendees to the vigil got to see the personal side as well.

Not only did the speakers share the stories of each woman who had died from domestic violence in the area, but one woman took the podium to share her story.

Nichole Johnson, a friend of Hackworth’s and youtuber who vlogs about domestic violence, spoke about her experiences with domestic violence as a child.

Johnson’s mother was in an abusive relationship for years, and Johnson detailed the damaging effects that abuse had on Johnson and her sister. Eventually, Johnson told her grandmother of the abuse, but received a scolding from her mother about sharing “house business.” After that, she told no one of her mother’s abuse, something Johnson said was “dangerous.”

“Let me tell you, domestic violence thrives in the dark,” Johnson said.

When Hackworth once again took the stand, she echoed Johnson’s statements.

“Let us shine a light on domestic abuse,” Hackworth said. “Let us shine a light on these women, these names.”