Safe Nest's 6th Annual Spring High Tea Honors DV Survivors

With at least one in every four women having been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime, domestic violence hits closer to home than ever. On April 29, Las Vegas ladies will honor local domestic abuse survivors and bring awareness to domestic violence in the Las Vegas area at the 6th Annual Spring High Tea at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

"This annual tea shines a light on Safe Nest and its mission to bring women suffering from domestic violence and abuse from crisis to confidence," said Liz Ortenburger, Executive Director of Safe Nest.

Safe Nest serves approximately 43,000 people annually. It is the primary provider of domestic violence services in Southern Nevada, the only agency with access for 24/7 Emergency Temporary Protection Orders and has the largest, most comprehensive program in the entire state.

Women are invited to don their best party dress, break out the pearls and mix and mingle over afternoon tea and champagne while supporting Safe Nest and their mission to help put an end to domestic violence in Nevada. Upon entering, attendees will be able to bid on extravagant silent auction items including entertainment packages, beauty baskets, spa certificates, fashion finds and much more.

As ladies make their way into the grand ballroom, they will be treated to a full afternoon tea service featuring an assortment of delicious teas, fine wines, finger sandwiches, petit fours and other sweet treats.

Makeovers and short tutorials will be available care of Christian Dior beginning at 1 p.m. Throughout the tea, consummate emcee and radio personality, Chet Buchanan, will introduce the afternoon's honoree and bring awareness to the issue that plagues too many women in Nevada. This year, Safe Nest honors survivor and insurance industry veteran, Anne Wayman with the prestigious "Woman of Distinction" award. A surprise live performance will close the affair.

Speaking about her award and why she is passionate about Safe Nest, Anne Wayman shares: "It hurts, as a survivor, to see the suffering of those victims of domestic abuse. I have healed long ago, therefore I am blessed and it's now my honor to help. My duty is to help those survive because it's not how we sit with the powerful, it's how well we stand with the broken."

Anne Wayman has 31 years of experience in the insurance industry, including her current position at Kaercher Insurance. Before joining Kaercher, Wayman was the Western Region Manager in the San Francisco office for FM Guardian Insurance Company and was responsible for managing and marketing for all Western Region Accounts for the Houston-based Insurer.

She was also Account Executive for Hobbs/Awkright Group in San Mateo, California during the technology boom focusing on large account brokerage services for Real Estate, Health Care, Technology and Wholesale Trade. Some of Hobbs accounts included Levi Strauss, Ross Stores, American Licorice, and Universal Foods. The Technology Services team serviced accounts including but not limited to International Game Technology, Varian Technology, and Cirrus Logic.

Since 1996 her focus has been Healthcare, Gaming, Technology, Risk Management and Construction. Wayman has a passion to support local charities and has assisted the fundraising efforts for American Heart Association, Go For Red for Women, Safe Nest (Temporary Assistance for Domestic Crisis), Boys and Girls Club of Nevada and Opportunity Village of Nevada. She is also involved with United Way of Nevada Women's Leadership Council.

A problem that impacts the safety and well-being of individuals, families and communities throughout Southern Nevada, domestic violence can take on multiple forms including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, financial control and social isolation. It affects all communities, regardless of socioeconomic status, race or religion.

Safe Nest serves battered women (or men), children or teens affected by family violence, adolescents in violent dating relationships, offending partners, family members or significant others impacted by the violence, at-risk individuals, and the community at large by offering a variety of programming and services including counseling, crisis intervention, individual and group therapy, residential services, protection order assistance and employment/life-skill classes. Safe Nest aims to put a stop to all immediate abuse and break the cycle of abuse for generations to come.

Tickets are $100 per person in advance and available online at www.safenest.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door pending availability. RSVPs are also available by emailing Hannah Brook at [email protected].

The Spring High Tea will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas.