GAZELLE MAGAZINE Vol. 2, Issue 4 | Page 25

COMMUNITY & CULTURE WOMEN WE LOVE RACHEL EBELING Co-Founder, Executive Director Angel Band Project I was propelled into a career I never foresaw when a close friend, Teresa Butz and her partner were both raped in Seattle. Teresa was stabbed to death. She came from an extremely musical family, and at her funeral, there was tremendous comfort and healing in the music. I was on a break from working when it happened, and her family, me and another friend, Jean Purcell, recorded a CD to benefit victims of sexual violence and help promote healing. It just grew from there. We formed the nonprofit Angel Band Project and now provide music therapy with licensed clinical professionals, and have formed the virtual choir, joining survivors of sexual violence in “One Voice.” 25 It’s hard work. You hear very sad stories. But I hope our voices are being heard and our energy is not wasted. I really think this was my calling. SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY