National artist and advocate to speak at Radford University about domestic violence

Zuleika Gonzalez, artist and national speaker and advocate for domestic violence survivors, will bring her message of strength and survival to Radford University this month.

Gonzalez’s “Bruised but Not Broken: An Epic Journey of Healing, Recovery and Triumph” - a multimedia photographic series she created based upon her own experiences with domestic abuse - will be on display in the RU Art Museum Downtown Radford, from Oct. 21 through Oct. 23. During her art showings, Gonzalez will speak about her experiences and journey from simply surviving abuse to thriving.

The RU Art Museum Downtown Radford is located at 1129 East Main St. 

Gonzalez will also visit campus to speak to classes and the entire RU community at a public event to raise awareness for domestic and sexual violence. The presentation will take place in the Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium on Oct. 20, at 5 p.m.

“When you are empty, you either fade into the shadows or you find the strength and courage to live,” Gonzalez said. “Strength to stand up again and courage to face and forgive my mistakes. Strength to step out of the shadows of shame and courage to tell my story. I don’t just share my story, I share the stories of thousands of women who stand behind me.”

Gonzalez’s visit marks RU's observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and is sponsored by the Scholar-Citizen Initiative, the RU Art Museum and the Department of Criminal Justice. For more information about Gonzalez’s engagement at RU, visit the Scholar-Citizen Initiative.