“Her Voice,” a nonprofit organization led by local students, will hold its inaugural Charity Gala on December 6, 2025, in Ashburn, Virginia, aiming to raise $8,000 for the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS) to help fund legal assistance, housing support, and family services for survivors.

Founded by high school seniors Sukhi Mahadevan and Rithika Kanakamedala, Her Voice has grown from a small student project into a registered nonprofit now impacting communities across states and internationally.

The Charity Gala: Raising Voices and Funds

The Charity Gala, which will take place at the Ignite Dance Studio Theater in Ashburn, will include:

• A formal fundraising event benefiting LAWS
• A keynote on the current state of domestic violence and sexual assault
• A talk on gender equity and the roots of gender-based violence
• Community networking and youth engagement

The fundraising goal is $8,000, a critical contribution toward legal and housing support for survivors. “This may be a small part of the larger problem,” Mahadevan said, “but every dollar truly makes a difference.”

A Mission Born from Awareness and Action

Her Voice was founded two years ago after Mahadevan and Kanakamedala recognized how widespread and often hidden domestic violence is, even in affluent communities like Loudoun County.

“We live in a very privileged area, but I didn’t realize how normalized domestic violence was across different communities,” Mahadevan said. “I’ve always been passionate about women’s rights and gender equity. Once we saw the gap, we felt a responsibility to act.”

What began as a fundraiser for LAWS quickly evolved into a broader mission. The organization is now officially registered as a nonprofit and runs educational programs, community events, and a powerful podcast that centers survivor voices.

Her Voice, Her Story: A Podcast That Creates Safe Space

At the heart of the organization is its podcast, Her Voice, Her Story, available on Spotify. The podcast features survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking, along with professionals working in prevention and support services.

“We often find survivors through social media or our community network,” Mahadevan explained. “Some choose to remain anonymous for legal or personal reasons. Our goal is simply to give them a safe space to tell their story.”

Episodes typically run 45 minutes to an hour and allow survivors to speak with minimal interruption. The podcast has featured survivors, domestic violence advocates, and international nonprofit leaders, including the founder of the Ray of Hope Foundation, which works globally to rescue women from human trafficking.

“The podcast has completely changed how I understand trauma and survival,” Mahadevan said. “It also helps listeners recognize signs of abuse they may not have noticed before.”

What the Work Has Taught a Teen Founder

Through her work, Mahadevan says she has learned three core lessons:

• Use privilege responsibly: “So many survivors lose faith in the legal system. If you have privilege, it’s your responsibility to use it to help those who’ve had it taken away.”
• Listening is critical: “True change starts with listening to victims—really listening—without judgment or skepticism.”
• Domestic violence isn’t just physical: “There are multiple forms of abuse. Emotional abuse, especially in teen relationships, is far too tolerated.”

Perhaps most eye-opening, she says, has been just how common abuse is even among teens in suburban, high-income communities.

“Domestic violence doesn’t care how big your house is or what neighborhood you live in,” she said. “It’s an interpersonal issue that exists everywhere.”

Education, Self-Defense, and Community Engagement

Beyond the podcast, Her Voice organizes educational programs across schools, including:

• Community awareness fairs with survivor speakers and legal experts
• Purple-out basketball games and restaurant fundraisers benefiting LAWS
• Teen and parent education nights focused on dating violence prevention
• Self-defense classes in partnership with local instructors

The group recently drew 40–50 students to a self-defense course aimed at empowering teens with prevention skills. They also collaborate with legal and educational leaders, including representatives from the Virginia Attorney General’s domestic violence prevention team and local gender-studies educators.

Expanding Beyond Virginia

Her Voice now has school chapters at Briar Woods High School and Thomas Jefferson High School and is in development across Rhode Island and Uganda. The organization partners with local shelters and international nonprofits to expand its reach.

How the Community Can Get Involved

Community members can support Her Voice in several ways:

• Attend the Charity Gala
• Listen to and share the podcast
• Donate or volunteer
• Start a new chapter at a local school
• Partner with domestic violence organizations in their own community

“You don’t have to run a nonprofit to make a difference,” Mahadevan said. “Sometimes just listening, believing survivors, and starting hard conversations can change everything.”

To get involved: Email: team@hervoiceherstory.org

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