Assembly Member Amanda Septimo presented a $50,000 donation to the Brides’ March on Tuesday, Sept. 24, during a public ceremony at 780 Grand Concourse. The location holds a somber significance, as it is where off-duty NYPD Officer Arianna Reyes-Gomez was tragically murdered by her estranged husband in 2022.
The Brides’ March, also known as the Annual Gladys Ricart and Victims of Domestic Violence Memorial Walk, began in 2001 to honor Gladys Ricart, a Dominican woman from Washington Heights who was killed by an abusive ex-boyfriend on her wedding day in 1999. The march aims to raise awareness about domestic violence and commemorate those who have lost their lives to intimate partner violence.
Maria Lizardo, Executive Director of the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), expressed gratitude for Septimo’s support. “Assembly Member Septimo’s investment provides critical resources needed to expand the Brides’ March and reach more survivors. In order to eradicate domestic violence, we all need to do our part, and we thank her for her commitment.”
Lethy Liriano, a domestic violence survivor and Brides’ March Coordinator, emphasized the significance of the funding. “This is the first major resourcing opportunity we’ve received, allowing us to amplify the movement’s impact and expand its reach. These funds will help bring more voices into the conversation, especially those of youth and men, while also incorporating healing through arts for survivors and service providers.”
Septimo highlighted her commitment to the cause. “Our investment in the Brides’ March is a continuous effort to support domestic abuse survivors and raise awareness about the horrors of domestic violence. It takes a village to build a safer community, and we are proud to contribute to this important work.”
The event was attended by co-founders of the Brides’ March, including the Dominican Women’s Development Center (DWDC), Violence Intervention Program (VIP), and NMIC, along with the family of Gladys Ricart. CONNECT, a non-profit focused on preventing interpersonal violence and promoting gender justice, also supported the occasion.
