From the pain of long ago comes a lifetime of healing

Monica Nagle holds her two books, 'If You Had Heard My Voice' and 'The Tracks'. Behind her on the wall at The Franklin Gallery, are many of the 40 paintings that seek to illustrate each line of her poem "If You Had Heard My Voice." (Rochester Voice ph

ROCHESTER - Monica Nagle's words of inspiration and hope for victims of violence and those who help them fairly tumble out of her mouth.

Etched from a lifetime of recovery, reconciliation and advocacy, they began flowing soon after she was violently raped by two men whom she'd asked for directions after getting lost on the outskirts of Philadelphia some 40 years ago.

Nagle, of Dover, has been a tireless voice for the victims of violence and their advocates ever since then, but a new effort - The Mother's Day Freedom Project - seeks to be the crown jewel of a near lifetime of service and sacrifice.

"It's all about healing from violence and abuse," said Nagle as she sat inside RiverStones Custom Frame Shop and The Franklin Gallery in downtown Rochester, where her newest exhibit is currently on display through Dec. 30.

Monica Nagle with collaborator and artist Steve Shaw. (Courtesy photo)

The Mother's Day Freedom Project is part of an ambitious visual and literary compendium that began with her poem, "If You Had Heard My Voice" and is complemented by original paintings that correspond singularly to every line from the poem.

Steven Shaw, a renowned state artist, participated in the collaboration with Nagle, creating 40 painting for the poem's 40 lines.

Shaw, however, went further, writing a "backstory" detailing how he came to visualize each separate line of Nagle's poem and also writing his own poem regarding his interpretation on the individual paintings he drew.

If that weren't daunting enough, however, it is Nagle's vision to have the poem presented in the form of a plaque to five sets of advocates who give voice to those victims of violence.

Those five categories include, police, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, first responders, and recovery groups.

The display that would be set in the various settings would cost about $100 each and would partially go to help fund continuing efforts to marginalized people, Nagle said.

RiverStones owner Kris Ebbeson, for instance, sponsored the plaque to be installed at Lydia's House of Hope of Somersworth, a homeless shelter for women and single moms.

Nagle hopes to have as many plaques delivered to the targeted venues by Mother's Day next year after which she'll turn her attention to a nationwide effort and national tour of her exhibit.

Nagle knows she is one of the fortunate ones, recognizing that she was able to battle back over a lifetime from the traumatic events of some 40 years ago without resorting to drugs or self-abuse. But she insists there are several key ingredients needed for get into recovery mode.

"My experience changed me forever," she said, "but you can heal and be more than a victim. You can heal and thrive."

For her those ingredients are:

Reaching out for a support system (in her case she joined Women against Rape shortly after she was attacked in Philadelphia.)

Positive coping skills (for her, it was her art and music)

Her Faith (she is a devout Catholic, but that doesn't mean you have to be of a certain religion, only that you believe in your faith)

"You need to forgive, forget and move forward," she says.

And advocacy: "When you reach out to help you heal yourself."

She further explains the power of advocacy by reflecting on her own life of service.

"I made it out of that room (where she was raped) alive and whenever I give one of those poems out I'm honoring those who didn't."

On Tuesday, and recognizing that the holidays mark the most likely time of the year for domestic abuse, she had a special message for anyone - men or women - suffering in an abusive relationship.

Don't suffer in silence

Remember, you can heal yourself

But you have to reach out for help

Find people who will bring you to a healing circle.

Nagle, also a stunning jazz vocalist, has her art studio and offices at The Art Center, One Washington Street, Dover. For more info go to www.monicanagle.com and www.theartcenterdover.com.

Her books are available on Amazon and at selected bookstores.

Below is Nagle's Poem If You Had Heard My Voice