Sarah Wells

President, S ummit City Pinups, LLC

By Lauren Caggiano

It takes a strong person to channel a traumatic event into something positive S arah Wells, president of Summit Cit y Pinups, LLC, is the embodiment of feminine strength Her stor y star ts several years ago, when she was in an abusive marriage with a man who had violent tendencies. Scared and vulnerable, she knew she had to plot an exit.

“People don’t understand how terrifying it is to be in a situation when someone has so much control over you, ” she said “ You’re afraid of your own shadow ”

The day did come when she mustered up enough courage to leave him. She went “underground, ” as she called it, sleeping on friends’ couches for several months

In that process, she discovered a lot about herself she was stronger than she thought. A decade later, she looks back at that painful period in her life with some distance and a healthy attitude “I’ve done a lot of healing, ” she said “I got to a place where I could help other women, ” she said

What star ted as a bit of a hobby has turned into something bigger. Wells, who has an interest in photography, would get together periodically with friend Wendy Clark to do pinup photoshoots I t was empowering and cathar tic “I t just sor t of blossomed from there, ” she said

And blossom it did, into a full-fledged non-profit social club. Summit City Pinups LLP is dedicated to mak ing a difference in the lives of families and individuals who have been affec ted by domestic abuse Wells said the organization gained momentum in 2016 and has been met with a positive response in the community

They host monthly meetings where members help to decide what social events, social appearances, creative photoshoots and other ac tivities they will host or par ticipate in throughout the year to raise money for several local charities Charis House is among the causes they suppor t

The photoshoots in par ticular have helped women collaborate in ways they might not consider in their ever yday lives

“ The nice thing about (Summit City Pinups) is that it meets ever y woman where they are, ” she said

Beyond the ar tistr y, sometimes there’s a common thread of sur vivorship that binds them.

“I t ’s so rewarding to hear other women tell their stor y and tell them they ’re not alone, ” she said.

And to those facing an abusive situation, she offers this advice: “Choose yourself No one else can make the choice for you ”

For more information about the Summit City Pinups, visit summitcitypinups blog Follow them on Facebook under “Summit City, LLP ” for updates a