PirateQ 
Friends, family, student athletes, former and current faculty and staff members, alumni, and nonprofit organizations for mental health services gathered on the sunny afternoon of Oct. 24 to remember Pensacola State College legend Carla Williams and to create awareness of domestic violence issues. Pirates CARE hosts this annual event in remembrance of one of PSC’s own and to raise awareness about the important issue of domestic violence as participants walk around the PSC Track at the Pensacola Campus.
Director of Student Conduct Veronica Jennings opened the event with a speech about the reason Pirates CARE hosts the walk, some history behind Carla Williams, and the reason participants walk the 2.2 miles, in honor of the Lady Pirates’ basketball legend’s jersey #22. Event coordinator Caesarea McCord, Mental Health Services Specialist with PSC’s Pirates CARE program, said, “We did have a lot more attendees come out this year. The purpose of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is not just to highlight one particular gender but that all genders can experience [domestic violence]. Any person who has struggled has a voice and has a place to come to, a safe space.”
Williams’ family participated in the event, and her mother Clara Williams reflected, “It is just so sad, a life taken away so soon, needlessly, when it shouldn’t have been. She had so much to offer to the world, but she was snatched away from us, and it’s just not fair.” Williams’ sister Pam Williams added, “I just hate it that so many kids are not going to get the opportunity to get that help from her that she offered through tutoring and that they may not have that person to talk to when they need somebody to talk to. She was special in her own way.”
Community organizations that provide services and resources related to domestic and dating violence joined the effort, including Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Program, Favor House, Legal Services of Northwest Florida, Tappan Consulting, and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). According to McCord, Favor House helps women who are survivors of domestic violence. They have shelters and, when they have the grant funds, they give survivors their first- and second-month’s rent to get their own places, they have counseling, certain financial resources and legal resources, all for people who are survivors of domestic violence.”
Former PSC Head Women’s Basketball Coach Vicki Carson attends the event every year, saying, “She was like a daughter to me. There is only one Carla, and I come out every year in any way I can honor her so these kids will know who she is. She is the prototype of a Lady Pirate.”