Spreading Care, Hope, and Good Shoes

AYLA ZHOY | STAFF WRITER

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women worldwide. In the US, every 9 seconds a woman is a victim of domestic abuse. For Morgan Whitfield- Firehawk, this is unacceptable.

A busy woman in SL, Morgan models and is the owner of HEELS, selling and designing high quality shoes to benefit The Care and Hope Center. The Care and Hope Center focuses on helping people understand and overcome domestic violence. Started in March of 2014, it is Morgan’s baby and she protects it and its reputation fiercely.

“The idea for the center formed from when I was in my second year at the University of Virginia. My anatomy lab partner confided in me that she was a survivor of horrible abuse from her ex-husband for many years.”

During that time, Morgan noticed that her partner never looked anyone in the eye, was very quiet, and never volunteered to answer a question. “Her story really had an impact,” Morgan mentioned, “because I could never fathom a person being beaten and treated inhumanely, especially from someone who supposedly loves them. Being in SL, I wanted to do something to spread the message of DV awareness.”

“What better place than SL,” Morgan explains, “where thousands of people from all walks of life and all over the world log in daily. Surely, at least one person can benefit from my message.”

With HEELS, Morgan designs and sells shoes and walks the catwalks of the Second Life fashion world. She uses retail as her vehicle of choice to benefit The Care and Hope Center, where she conducts monthly educational meetings.

“I created Heels back in October 2017. My intentions were never to be the biggest shoe store in SL but just a way to provide affordable shoes while spreading the message about the Center and DV.”All proceeds from HEELS go solely to the tier for the Center. Morgan often uses her own personal expenses to offset any costs not covered. She doesn’t care about that – it is the message that drives her and all else is the means to an end.

Everyone who knows Morgan knows she models for the purpose of supporting her Center and Domestic Violence awareness. Some understand, some think she’s crazy . . but again – if this benefits others in any way it is worth the effort.

HEELS participates regularly in the On9, SCALA Yin/Yang, and The Fashion Zone events. Weekly she is part of the $60L Secret Sale and the $55L Thursdays.

Morgan has other non-profits in SL that she supports, such as Stop Violence Against Women. She believes in bringing awareness to sexual assault, trafficking and violence toward women who suffer all over the world. Other organizations that draw her attention are Spoonful of Sugar/Doctors Without Borders and Relay for Life Second Life, Team Feed Your Soul.

“I do this especially in remembrance of my best friend's RL sister who succumbed to this deadly disease!”

That sister was mine - Morgan keeps a remembrance for her at the Center.

Visit the Care and Hope Center http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dr eam%20Bay/230/150/24

Support with HEELS http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dr eam%20Bay/230/150/24