On July 3, 1776, this country that we live in did something outrageous, something totally radical. It claimed its independence from England. Cut the political umbilical cord and stepped out on the faith that it would make it on its own...somehow. Freedom is an almost magical, mystical word. It means different things to different people worldwide. When I asked my 5 year old son what freedom meant, he said, "Good." Yeah, I agree. Freedom means good.

However, there's a culture of women who live every day of their lives enslaved, afraid, and despondent. I’m not talking about slavery as in the years of slavery endured by the Israelites of the Bible before their president... er, leader Moses led them out of Iraq... Oops! Sorry, I meant Egypt. Nor am I speaking of the long dark night that lasted centuries and was endured by our African-American ancestors here and in other countries around the planet. I am talking about the lives of women who comprise a culture of those bound by mental, emotional, and physical enslavement.

I can remember seeing the movie "The Burning Bed" years ago. I felt like cheering at the way it ended. Graphic, yes, but women everywhere felt her pain and rejoiced in her freedom even if it was lived behind bars. I’m sure most of us know Tina Turner’s poignant life story in "What’s Love Got To Do With It?", as it relates to her relationship with her ex-husband Ike Turner. If you have not seen these movies, you should check them out. These are two classic cases of what a battered woman is and how her day-to-day life seems to sink a little bit further into a living hell until one day, one "I can’t take this anymore" day, she snaps. From that point, it depends on the woman how it goes down in the history or law books.

I’m not going to go into a presentation on the definition, nature, and signs of a battered woman. We each have some basic understanding of this syndrome, especially if you or someone you know can be listed among the masses. I will provide you with links and contacts for places whose sole mission is to educate the individual and public about this societal disease and to provide help for those who are silently suffering and/or dying from it.

Here are some great sites with information that will put a battered woman one step closer to freedom, if she chooses.

There are many ways we can help these women even if you can’t join the organization as an employee or volunteer. Put up flyers in your community about local agencies and hotlines like those listed above.  Donate your old cell phones to centers that distribute them to help victims seek emergency help. Make a financial contribution to the centers. Donate clothing, household goods, children’s items, to shelters. If you know someone who is a battered woman, ask her how can you help.

If you are reading this and you know you need help, don’t be afraid. Still your fears and quiet your doubts. You know you do not belong in a relationship that is life threatening. Find someone you trust to help you if possible. Take any step, no matter how small. Today is the day to claim your independence. It’s all about exposure, ladies. Let’s confront this skeleton in our cultural closets, bring it further into the light, and face them down. Light the way for the next sister as she journeys on her path through life. We are our sisters’ keepers...if we choose to be.