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Maxwell SAPR chief lights up Montgomery sky

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Patrick Brown
  • 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  LaNessa Howard isn't an architect, but she did manage to change Montgomery's skyline for a night - and for a good cause.

Howard, the chief of the Maxwell Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, had noticed the Retirement Systems of Alabama's Dexter Avenue building, or RSA building as it's locally known, was occasionally illuminated in different colors. This was usually in celebration of a holiday like Christmas or July 4th, or to recognize worthy causes.

The 23-story building is the tallest in Montgomery, difficult to miss, and Howard saw a unique opportunity to shed light on the hot-button issue of sexual assault. She phoned RJ Caldwell, the maintenance director for RSA. To her delight, he agreed.

"I'm all for charitable events," he said. "This one was definitely worthy."

He quickly reviewed the proposal, did his research and dutifully sent the request up his chain. Then came April 21.

The teal green light reflected from the building through Thursday night onto several of the surrounding buildings, and even gave water in the nearby fountain downtown a teal hue, according to Howard.

Teal is the color officially recognized to represent sexual assault awareness.

A short walk away from that fountain and the temporarily teal tower is the state capitol building. To commemorate April as SAPR month, city officials had planned a march for that evening that would snake its way through downtown and end there at the historic building. The threat of severe weather had forced them to cancel the march, but Howard, along with several others from the surrounding area, braved the threat and camped in front of the capitol armed with literature, office "swag," sympathetic ears and experts to help raise awareness for the cause.

"We spoke to quite a few people," Howard said. "We got the word out."

On hand to help were survivors of sexual assault who spoke to the folks gathered about.  Officials from the local sheriff's department, city council and others were there to lend a hand, as well. 

Howard said the public response was better than she'd imagined.

"People were excited about making a difference," she said.

The people who work in Montgomery and around Howard are undoubtedly excited to see what she lights up next April.