Episode 6: Knocking Out Abuse with Jill Sorenson

In this latest episode of Mindfulness Monday, Ora Nadrich interviews Jill Sorenson.

Jill Sorensen is a model, interior designer, producer, writer, women’s activist & single mom who truly changes people’s lives. Jill worked for several years as a top model with Elite Models, The Ford Modeling Agency & made numerous appearances on national TV shows & independent films. Other than her incredible son Luke, her greatest achievement was co-founding, “Knock Out Abuse,” a non-profit organization that for more than two and a half decades, has raised awareness & funds for victims of domestic violence. Jill & her dear friend/fellow Co-Founder Cheryl Masri teamed up in 1993 to create a Washington, DC based charity, “Knock Out Abuse” in an effort to help battered women rebuild their lives. Cheryl Masri currently runs the day to day operations of Knock Out Abuse in DC In DC, “Knock Out Abuse” raised over $12 million dollars to provide transitional support to more than 35,000 women and children. Proceeds go directly to organizations offering counseling, long and short-term housing, legal assistance, financial education, job training & the necessary resources to realize a new beginning for these extremely deserving families. Jill is involved in organizing fundraisers & the spectacular Knock Out Abuse Gala, which has become a “must attend” event in Washington, DC.

For all top business and political leaders, philanthropists and celebrities, it is the must attend event of the year. It is an evening of incredible entertainment, inspiration and most importantly, fundraising for a very special cause. Two years in a row it was voted the Number 1 event in DC , beating the White House Correspondence Dinner. The Knock Out Abuse Gala has been attended by countless stars: Hillary Clinton, Wolf Blitzer, Lenny Kravitz, Kathleen Turner, Senator Kristen Gillibrand among many others. Knock Out Abuse is a powerful platform for women to help each other. It focuses on offering transitional support to those whose lives have been impacted by poverty, abuse and a lack of safe shelter. It’s about helping women find their voice again. Jill believes in true equality between men and women and really strives to make a difference in the quality of women’s lives. Her non-profit does just that, by empowering women to stand up for themselves and be heard. In 2006, Jill was the recipient of The Salvation Army Compassionate Citizen Award. In 2018, Jill founded Knock Out Abuse West in Los Angeles, California. Jill works with Knock Out Abuse West‘s director Barbara Chinlund (also an ex-model.) Susan Pfeiffer holds the position of Treasurer. With annual fundraisers, a speaker series and other fund raising initiatives KOAW raises funds that go to direct service providers, that offer counseling, long & short term housing, legal assistance & absolutely necessary resources to help victims of domestic violence.

If that’s not enough, Jill wrote, produced and starred in a movie called “Marmalade.” A comedy, about a fashion model being put out to pasture that drew attention to ageism in the fashion industry. Jill won “Best Actress” at The California Film Festival. Knock Out Abuse West branched out with a salon series called, Lived & Learned. Evenings where trailblazers and women we all admire share their challenges, triumphs, and wisdom. After they do a Q&A with the audience. Jill also has a hugely successful design company and home decor brand, Jill Sorensen Inc, (www.jillsorensenlifestyle.com) designing residences all over the world, with her colorful, bold take on interiors. Her designs have been featured in House Beautiful, HGTV, Coastal Living, Luxe Magazine, The Washington Post, LA Times, The Washingtonian, Trad Home, DC Magazine among many others. Jill is has appeared been featured as a top designer on The Nate Berkus Show.