FOUNDED in November 2020, Abigail, a non-government and nonprofit organization, celebrated Women’s Month during a private dinner at Pepoy’s Café & Restaurant on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
“Our organization was established to support women, empower them and to care for women who are experiencing domestic violence,” said Femie Rey, the organization’s president and co-founder.
Abigail’s other co-founders are missionaries Jim and Jane Turnbull who are now back on the mainland U.S.
Abigail stands for Advocacy, Brilliance, Intelligence, Good Morals, Affirmation, Instruction and Love.
Rey said during the pandemic, when the island was in lockdown and families had to spend most of their time at home, there were reports of children and women being abused in their own homes.
“Women are powerful individuals,” Rey said. “We want to empower those who have experienced abuse and help them get their life back.”
Rey believes that if women understand their worth, they can stand up on their own, protect their children, speak up for their rights, achieve great things and succeed in life.
She said the celebration at Pepoy’s was “filled with conversations with women from different backgrounds while sharing a meal together and celebrating our womanhood in Women’s Month.”
Rey said Abigail also conducts seminars every year on topics for women, and provides counseling related to the preservation of families. She said they also conduct humanitarian activities and outreach programs for women and children survivors.
Rey said Abigail will continue to help build “communities of strong and healthy families living a life free from oppression and domestic abuse.”
From left, Melanie Galapon, Pastor Manuelito Rey, his wife Femie Ray and Marie Francia pose for a photo during Abigail’s Women Month’s celebration at Pepoy’s Café & Restaurant on March 18, 2023.
Members of the non-profit group, Abigail, pose for a photo during their Women’s Month celebration at Pepoy’s Café & Restaurant on March 18, 2023.
