By Cara Spilsbury
Staff writer

All photography
by Helene Norton-Russell

October 12, 2006

BOSTON - In the Great Hall of the Statehouse, where the marbled walls stretch several imposing stories to the heavens, stood a petite, blonde, stay at-home-mother from Newburyport.

In front of senators, representatives, family and friends, Jen Hoffman had a grand stage to spread her message of empowerment through positive messages.

"Ironically, we're not here for a conversation on politics," she said. "We're here as people, as parents."

In recognition of Hoffman's company, Emotional Armor, and her dedication to domestic violence prevention and empowerment through positive messages, the State House officially proclaimed yesterday as Emotional Armor Day.

Emotional Armor was founded just five months ago by Hoffman as a unique, positive way to promote self-expression and self-esteem. So far, the messages are spreading in the form of comfortable cotton t-shirts, and each style was displayed colorfully in the Great Hall yesterday as a backdrop for the featured speakers. All the money raised through the sales of the shirts supports the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center in Newburyport, a domestic violence prevention and support center. The money also will help start a cultural enrichment program at the Newburyport Montessori School that will teach children to celebrate and love themselves and their differences.

State Rep. Mike Costello, D-Newburyport, started the ceremony by introducing the company and the significance of the day's event. He then introduced state Sen. Steven Baddour, D-Methuen, who reiterated the importance of Hoffman's message.

"We don't do enough as a society to promote positive thinking for children, especially young girls," Baddour said. "To me, nothing is more important."

Next, Costello introduced Hoffman, the guest of honor and a friend of Costello's. The two used to work out together, but Costello joked that he ran "twice as slow and half the distance" as Hoffman, an accomplished triathlete.

"Then comes along a woman from Newburyport who had an idea," he said, smiling at the crowd before him. "But it wasn't just an idea to start a T-shirt company. It's a message company. It's an idea company."

Hoffman then conquered her extreme fear of public speaking and laid out several yellow, well-worn sheets of paper, so as not to forget to mention a single person who helped her company grow to what it is today. Most of them were in attendance.

Some of those important pieces to Hoffman's puzzle gave spoke as well. Suzanne Dubus, director of the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, called for community action against domestic violence and sexual abuse, shared the tragic story of a victim, and explained the work of the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center. She also praised Hoffman's vision.

"What a wonderful idea," Dubus said. "A wonderful idea whose time has come."

Maureen Daley, director of the Newburyport Montessori School, then spoke of her hope for a better tomorrow through today's children, a hope that is becoming a reality thanks to Hoffman's work.

"There are no chinks in the emotional armor of children that grow up believing in themselves and believing in their own unique qualities," Daley said.

Gabe Kapler, the Red Sox outfielder, and his wife, Lisa, even sent a video message for Emotional Armor Day, commending Hoffman for her passionate work. The Kaplers have been working closely with Hoffman to develop a partnership between Emotional Armor and their charity for domestic violence prevention, the Gabe Kapler Foundation. They both donned their Emotional Armor t-shirts.

"Of course I'm fashion concious," the Sox star said. "so I wear it in red."

The director of Jane Doe, Inc., Mary Lauby, took the microphone next, proclaiming that "hope is our currency."

Jane Doe has been working extensively in the state of Massachusetts to prevent domestic violence and to support survivors, and Lauby unveiled their partnership with Emotional Armor at the event in the form of a t-shirt Hoffman designed specifically for them. The sales of the brand new style, "change begins with me," will benefit Jane Doe, Inc.

State Sen. Joan Menard, D-Fall River, officially unveiled the shirt. Menard has also worked to promote Hoffman's company. Menard, a mother of two daughters, sees Emotional Armor and its messages growing vastly beyond its roots in Newburyport and noted the symbolism of such an event being held on Beacon Hill.

"This is a place that represents all the people of Massachusetts," Menard said.

It is no accident that Emotional Armor Day fell in October. This month is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and the ideals of Hoffman's company seemed to be the perfect way to spread the message, Costello said.

"We thought it was appropriate to kick off the month with Emotional Armor, which we all need," Costello said after the ceremony. The event symbolizes a commitment by the state to keep fighting violence the best they can, "starting with the shirts on our backs," Costello said.

"We are learning how to make laws not only tougher but smarter against domestic violence offenders," he said, "and groups like Jane Doe and Jeanne Geiger are teaching us and showing us."

Hoffman summed up Emotional Armor Day during her moment in the spotlight at the State House, pointing out that "the good inherent in all of us" that she so greatly believes in was proven by the ceremony.

"Regardless of age, sex, race, religion, or political affiliation, we all share something that we wear every day," Hoffman explained, "and that's our emotional armor."