Granbury goes purple

Granbury will soon be shining bright — and purple — in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

During the month of October, Mission Granbury will display two large purple ribbons as well as purple lighting on the square to bring awareness to domestic violence and to show support for survivors.

With a new feature this year, the project will include a 6-foot cork-covered wooden ribbon that will be displayed on the square, allowing residents to write down their feelings on small laminated purple ribbons, and attach them to the cork ribbon with push pins.

As approved unanimously during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Hood County Commissioners Court Oct. 8, the project will bring to light the seriousness of domestic violence and just how prevalent it is in communities.

Mission Granbury’s Shelter Program Director Rebbecca Freeman explained during the meeting that the ribbon is similar to the organization’s clothesline project, where individuals can express their thoughts on a T-shirt using a Sharpie.

“It’s interactive with the community, and it gives anybody in the community that domestic violence has touched their life the opportunity to write their feelings on a ribbon and pin it to the cork board,” she explained.

“It's very powerful when people feel comfortable expressing their feelings, and they usually happen under the guise of darkness,” said Director of Community Partnerships Jean Bondy. “But people come out and share how they feel, and it just creates that awareness.”

In conjunction with the ribbon project, Mission Granbury will also utilize the square’s gazebo and lawn for a “Light the Night” ceremony scheduled from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22.

“’Light the Night’ will honor the 205 victims who lost their lives in 2023 to domestic violence,” Freeman added.

“Y'all do a great job of doing this,” Hood County Judge Ron Massingill said. “This is very important. It looks really good on the square and does a good job of making everybody aware of domestic violence.”

As Granbury shines bright and purple this month, residents can pay tribute to and honor those who have suffered this Domestic Violence Awareness Month — coming together in solidarity to foster hope and support for a safer future.