Joyful Heat Foundation Rings NASDAQ Opening Bell

JHF Board Member Peter Hermann Helps Kick off The Joyful Revolution

Following Joyful Heart's successful Second Annual Gala, The Joyful Revolution, Board Member Peter Hermann along with JHF staff and program partners were invited to ring the opening bell of the NASDAQ stock exchange.

Prior to ringing the bell, Peter was invited by NASDAQ Vice President, David Wicks, to deliver remarks about Joyful Heart and its mission. Peter used the occasion to introduce the concept of the joyful revolution to a wider, global audience.

Good morning. The name of our gala last night was The Joyful Revolution. If you had been there, you certainly would have understood the 'joyful' part.

I'd like to explain a little bit about the 'revolution.'

The cultural dialogue about sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse must be revolutionized. But we are not looking for a revolt; we are looking for a revolution-a turn.

We want communities to turn their attention, compassion, innovation and resources towards these issues. To shy away from these painful topics is natural; to turn towards them is courageous and crucial-and revolutionary.

What does it mean to turn towards them? The mission of the Joyful Heart Foundation is to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse, and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues.

We turn towards them when we look within ourselves and address the uneasiness, discomfort, and fear that we have about engaging in a dialogue about these epidemics; when we educate ourselves diligently not only to know the signs of abuse, but also how to be of service to a survivor making the turn toward healing, hope and joy; and when we empower ourselves with the knowledge that change in a group of individuals will bring change to the community at large.

A revolution always begins from within. This one begins when you decide how you will hold the issues of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse within yourself. Thank you for this opportunity to speak to you about and invite you to join our joyful revolution.

- Peter Hermann

Following his remarks, Peter and Joyful Heart's staff and guests rang the opening bell to officially start the day's trading. The group stopped for photos in Times Square where onlookers could watch the whole event on NASDAQ's 10-story electronic display.

NASDAQ is the largest electronic screen-based equity securities trading market in the United States and has approximately 3,800 companies listed. The exchange has more trading volume per hour than any other stock exchange in the world. NASDAQ is headquartered in New York City's Times Square.