Domestic violence prevention project Respond releases new CD

Think celebrities don't have hearts? The organizers of Respond Incorporated, a Massachusetts-based violence prevention fund which provides a 24-hour hotline in multiple languages for battered women, would beg to differ.

In 1999, a group of female artists including Joan Baez, Patty Larkin, Juliana Hatfield and Melissa Ferrick, all of whom had gotten their start at Open Mic Nights in the Boston area, decided to join forces against domestic violence. They created Respond (now called Respond I), a compilation of beautiful recordings whose $125,000 in profit went to a domestic violence agency.

The Boston artists have come together again to put out Respond II, but this time they have invited female artists from all over North and South America to join them. These new artists have brought a distinctly different flavor to the latest CD. These new fresh voices include Slater Kinney and her punk sound, the gospel group Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Latino singer Ela Guerra.

The team has expanded to include not just singers, but entertainment lawyers and graphic artists as well and many of the musicians from the first album have taken over as producers for this album. Again, all proceeds are going to Respond Incorporated.

Even apart from the destination of its proceeds, the list of artists on this album makes it well worth the damage to your wallet. "Lily," by legendary Boston-based folk singer Joan Baez, is a can't miss song. Jonatha Brooke, Sarah McLachlan, Ani DiFranco, and Aimee Mann are also featured on the CD.

The Respond Office has a shelter that helps 3000 women each year. The organization also has what Coordinator Susan Kelihar calls a "longstanding relationship" with Tufts. After Respond I came out, the artists gave a concert at the University. Kelihar, was at Vulvapalooza both nights last week promoting Respond II. Many Tufts students also intern at the Respond office, both during the year and during the summer.

Respond Incorporated started in 1974 through a grassroots effort of community women who were determined to assist women who were victims of domestic abuse.

For those interested in learning more about Respond Incorporated or the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the organization's website, www.respondinc.com, contains information about the organization as well as warning signs of domestic violence.