May 9th, 2024 | 6 - 9 PM
Brooklyn Academy of Music | 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
We celebrated 50 years of building safer communities.
The Center for Anti-Violence Education turned 50 this year! On May 9th 2024, we celebrated CAE’s legacy with a joyous, laughter filled night.
It was truly a privilege to share in honoring our co-founder, Annie Ellman, and our Peer Educator, Helen. We are so grateful to our talented line-up of comedians, our sponsors, our host committee, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, our staff past and present, and our amazing community of donors and participants!
Special thanks to NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for attending and giving CAE an official proclamation in honor of our 50th anniversary.
Check out some photos of the night below!
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Honoring our co-founder
On this special night, we are proud to have honored CAE’s co-founder, Annie Ellman, with the Nadia Telsey Achievement Award.
ANNIE ELLMAN:
In 1974, Annie Ellman partnered with her best friend, Nadia Telsey, to found Brooklyn Women’s Martial Arts, which years later would grow into the Center for Anti-Violence Education that we now know. The catalyst for this organization, according to Annie, sits at a crossroads of wanting women to come into their full power and strength, and working to end violence in our lives and in our community. She says, “Martial arts was a great vehicle for coming into our strength and power, and for creating community and programming to work against violence and abuse in all our lives.” A crucial part of this was not only taking stock of the entire system to see who could fight back against violence and who couldn't, but also building a safe community space for people from all situations to heal from the abuse they faced.
Throughout CAE’s 50 years, Annie has remained a steadfast support for the organization she spearheaded. “The work is so dear to my heart,” she says, “and the combination of physical, personal, and political empowerment all going together has been my vision for my life.” Her philosophy acknowledges that we can’t end violence until we end economic and social injustice, but we can develop and strengthen mind, heart, and spirit through physical practices, self defense, and building community connections. What is special to her about CAE remains the community– she never fails to shine light on the many people’s handprints that shaped this organization, and emphasizes the importance of CAE evolving with our communities while remaining loyal to our mission.
Though Annie is no longer an official staff member, she continues to lend her spirit to our work and to our community. Combining her love of nature with martial arts, she teaches tai chi and qigong in the park. She spends hours with her grandchildren and in her garden– where she feels unbelievably lucky to have access to a space that connects her to all living things. And she continues to live her life in the same spirit CAE was born from-- building strength to end violence.
If you would like a photo removed, please contact jenelle@caeny.org. Thank you!