Domestic Violence Awareness: How Sue Newby's death created hope through the Sue B 5k/10k
Boise, ID (CBS 2) — "Sue's story doesn't fit the typical profile or idea that people have of domestic violence because you usually don't think of a popular well-educated career woman being in that kind of position," explains Sue's sister Marj Sente.
"The idea and the whole concept of domestic abuse has really changed over the past ten years. And I think 10 years ago a lot of the ideas of domestic violence was someone getting beaten up, I think that landscape has really changed to looking much more deeply at psychological views and I know that is something that Sue encountered psychological abuse."
Abuse that both sue's friends and Marj say they didn't know about until after her death.
"The Ada County Sheriff's Office assigned a deputy to investigate because the people in the horse community said things just don't add up here," Marj explains.
Mark, Sue's husband, took his own life before the deputy could question him.
"The deputy from the Sheriff's Office, she was the one who was the collector of a lot of stories and saw what was going on," Marj says.
Sue's sister says the deputy found abuse.
Marj, along with Sue's friends, knew they had to do something.
"Sue had great friends who really spearheaded the desire to do an event in her memory," Marj says.
It began as the Sue B Stroll, but it wasn't until the Women's and Children's Alliance contacted Marj, asking to make sure Sue and her story will never be forgotten.
"They were at the initial event and by the third year, the WCA came to us and said we want to make this one of the featured events of October which is domestic violence awareness month," Marj explains.
Now proceeds from the Sue b 5k and 10k Walk-Run go into the Women's and Children's Alliance Endowment.
Eleven years later, it's raised around a quarter of a million dollars to ensure the WCA's mission continues to provide help, safety, and hope for those dealing with domestic violence.
"You always have hope you know, you always have hope like an event like what we started would grow legs and become sustainable and a good fundraiser because it has," explains Marj.
She tells CBS 2 News that she is thankful for the Boise and greater treasure valley community and that through this event, Sue will never be forgotten.
"I think she would be humbled, I think she would be really pleased and the thing that we have tried to do is kind of the mantra that Teresa, Leslie and i had over the years is working to turn grief into action," Marj says.
Action that's creating a safer environment for all women across the Treasure Valley, because of Sue Newby.
All proceeds from the Sue B 5k/10k Walk and Run will benefit the Women's and Children's Alliance to help survivors of domestic violence, giving them safety, freedom, healing and most of all hope
We invite you to join us on October 6th for the 10th annual Sue B 5k and 10k Walk and Run.
Our very own Sarah Jacobsen will be emceeing the event and all the money raised will benefit the WCA Endowment Fund in Sue's memory.
