The Moose Jaw Transition House hosted a luncheon Thursday at Minto United Church to recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.  

Along with remembering the 14 Montreal school shooting victims of 1989 who were shot and killed solely because they were women, the event included keynote speaker Lani Elliott.

Elliott, originally from Abernethy, Saskatchewan, fled a violent marriage and now tours North America as a motivational speaker.

She said she chose this path because, "In telling my story, it gave other women the courage to come forward and start telling their [stories]. The only way that we're ever going to eradicate violence is if we bring it out into the open and we start sharing our stories, and we start talking about these issues. We can then start talking about finding solutions and how we can eradicate [violence]."

Elliott's true passion is speaking to young students. She believes prevention is better than having to deal with the alternative.

Elliott said she made sure she was open and talked with her two sons about violence. She ensured they had the support they needed growing up, which included going through the YMCA's 'Children Who Witness Violence' program.

Along with Elliott, Moose Jaw Councillor Heather Eby brought greetings from the City, while Moose Jaw North MLA Warren Michelson represented the Government of Saskatchewan.