Purple Flower builds legacy from tragedy

Laura Aceves was just 21 years old when she was brutally murdered by a former boyfriend on New Year’s Eve 2012.

Out of that tragedy, however, grew an enduring legacy. Inspired by Aceves’ story, Eureka Springs resident Barbara Weems and Linda Maiella co-founded the Purple Flower Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Resource & Support Center of Carroll County.

On Saturday, Jan. 14, the Purple Flower observed the 10th anniversary of Aceves’ death with an event at Hometown Scoop in Berryville.

“Purple Flower happened because of Laura,” Weems told those who attended the event.

Weems said she read about Aceves’ death in the newspaper and felt a call to connect with Aceves’ family.

“I just couldn’t shake it,” she said. “I was praying to God all the time: ‘Lord, let me do something to connect with this family.’ ” The next day, Weems said, Aceves’ mother — also named Laura — came into The Cradle maternity support center in Berryville, where Weems volunteered.

“From there, it was just like we were connected,” Weems said. “And this woman is the strongest woman that I had ever known in my entire life. And the way that she got up and fought right after losing her baby will forever inspire me because I had never seen that kind of strength before.”

Weems and Maiella attended numerous court hearings and meetings leading to the conviction of Aceves’ killer, Victor Acuna- Sanchez, who was sentenced to life in prison.

“Purple Flower was born out of that,” Weems said. “After Victor was sentenced, I knew that the work was not done. We found a little office right here on the square. We got started with 20 bucks. Somebody just said: “Here, do what you can at 20 bucks. And (Berryville) Mayor (Tim) McKinney picked up the rent for us. Bobby Thurman picked up the electric bill for us. It took a village.”

Today, Purple Flower director Michelle Davis- Wouters said at Saturday’s event, the Purple Flower is doing well thanks to community donations.

“We’ve been doing really, really good things for a long time,” Davis-Wouters said. “Our savings have increased. We have a nest egg now to make sure that everyone has clothing and shelter in Carroll County. We have legal advocates as well. These are the things we’re able to do because of some long-term donors and some small grants. Recently, we got our foot in the door with a larger donor that would be very, very helpful to us, ensuring funds to secure our goal of a 12-bed shelter.”

Davis-Wouters said the Purple Flower not only helps women who find themselves in abusive situations, but also their children.

“Eighty-five percent of our clients that we help have children and families,” she said. “And it’s so important to have a safe