Category: Womens History Month

Survivor Pioneers and Women Who Transformed the Domestic Violence Movement

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date March 2, 2025

Honoring Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and resilience of women who have shaped history. In the fight against domestic violence, many brave women have used their voices, experiences, and leadership to advocate for survivors, push for legal reforms, and build support systems. These pioneers have laid the foundation for today’s domestic violence movement, ensuring that survivors receive the help and justice they deserve.

Survivor Leaders Who Made a Difference

Ruth A. White – The Early Voice for Battered Women

One of the earliest survivor advocates, Ruth A. White helped establish the first shelters for battered women in the 1970s. Recognizing the need for safe spaces for survivors fleeing abuse, she worked tirelessly to create resources and public awareness about domestic violence. Her work laid the groundwork for modern domestic violence shelters nationwide.

Mildred Muhammad – From Survivor to Advocate

Mildred Muhammad, the ex-wife of the D.C. Sniper John Allen Muhammad, turned her personal experience of abuse into a powerful advocacy platform. She speaks about the intersection of domestic violence and coercive control, highlighting the dangers survivors face even after leaving abusive relationships. Through her work, she has helped shift the conversation to include emotional and psychological abuse as critical components of domestic violence.

Leslie Morgan Steiner – Giving a Voice to Survivors

Author and advocate Leslie Morgan Steiner uses her story of surviving an abusive relationship to educate others about the warning signs of domestic violence. Her TED Talk, Why Domestic Violence Victims Don’t Leave, has reached millions worldwide, encouraging people to better understand the complexities of abusive relationships.

Women Who Pioneered the Domestic Violence Movement

Dr. Toby Myers -“Godmother” of the Domestic Violence Movement in Texas

Dr. Toby Myers used her experience as a survivor to become a lifelong advocate for women. She is a founding member of the Houston Area Women’s Center, often waking her 3 children in the middle of the night to go unlock the house used as the first HAWC shelter for a woman and her children. She is a founding member of the Texas Council on Family Violence, realizing bringing people together to advocate is the best way to be heard. She helped create AVDA and started The Pivot Project which has turned into one of the most successful and respected battering intervention programs in Texas. She has served, mentored, and guided the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council from day one. She is the longest tenured Board member of HCDVCC and continues to be active in several HCDVCC committees. Her passion and dedication to women is a bright light in this often-dreary world. She is the guiding star to so many.

Ellen Pence – Transforming the Justice System

Ellen Pence was a leader in changing how the justice system responds to domestic violence. As a co-founder of the Duluth Model, she helped develop the widely used Power and Control Wheel, which illustrates the tactics abusers use to maintain control. Her work has influenced domestic violence intervention programs across the world.

Tiloma Jayasinghe – A Global Advocate for Women’s Rights

Tiloma Jayasinghe has dedicated her career to advocating for survivors on a global scale. As a former leader of Sakhi for South Asian Women, she has worked to provide culturally specific domestic violence services, ensuring that women from immigrant and marginalized communities receive the support they need.

Estér King – A Champion for Policy Reform

Estér King helped shape legislative policies that protect survivors from housing discrimination. Thanks to her advocacy, laws have been enacted to ensure that survivors of domestic violence cannot be evicted simply for experiencing abuse in their homes. Her work has provided stability and security to countless survivors seeking to rebuild their lives.

The Legacy of These Trailblazers

The women highlighted above, along with countless others, have changed the landscape of domestic violence advocacy. From legal reforms to public awareness campaigns, they have fought to make the world safer for survivors. Their contributions continue to inspire new generations of advocates, ensuring that the fight for safety, justice, and empowerment carries on.

As we honor Women’s History Month, let us recognize the courage of survivors and the relentless work of those who have dedicated their lives to ending domestic violence. Their legacy is a reminder that change is possible, and every voice matters in the fight against abuse.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for support.

Tags domestic violence, dr toby myers, international womens day, sexualviolence

Legacies Womens History Month

Leading the Domestic Violence Movement through Social Justice

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date March 6, 2024

As we celebrate Women’s History month let’s look at the women who made a difference not only in Social Justice but in helping to shape the Domestic Violence movement.

Throughout history, women have been at the forefront of social justice movements, championing causes that seek to dismantle systems of oppression and inequality. One such movement that has seen the tireless efforts of women is the fight against domestic violence. From grassroots activism to legislative reform, women have played pivotal roles in shaping the discourse and policies surrounding domestic violence. This article explores the historical contributions of women in leading the domestic violence movement through the lens of social justice.

Early Pioneers:

The roots of the domestic violence movement can be traced back to the activism of early pioneers who dared to challenge societal norms and advocate for change. Women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, prominent figures in the suffrage movement, recognized that violence against women within the home was not merely a private matter but a pervasive social issue requiring public attention. Their advocacy laid the groundwork for future generations of women to address domestic violence as a fundamental human rights issue.

Intersectional Perspectives:

As the domestic violence movement gained momentum, women from diverse backgrounds brought intersectional perspectives that highlighted the interconnectedness of gender-based violence with other forms of oppression. Women of color, such as Sojourner Truth and Ida B. Wells, emphasized the unique experiences of marginalized communities facing domestic violence. Their advocacy shed light on the intersections of race, class, and gender, challenging the movement to adopt inclusive approaches that address the needs of all survivors.

Grassroots Activism:

At the heart of the domestic violence movement are grassroots activists who work tirelessly to support survivors and challenge systems of power. Women-led organizations like the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Women’s Aid Federation of England mobilized communities, provided essential services, and advocated for policy changes. These grassroots efforts not only raised awareness but also empowered survivors to speak out and seek help, laying the groundwork for broader social change.

Legislative Reform:

Women’s advocacy within the domestic violence movement has also been instrumental in driving legislative reform to better protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable. Trailblazing legislators like Patsy T. Mink and Louise Slaughter championed landmark legislation such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which provided critical resources for survivors and enhanced legal remedies for domestic violence cases. Their legislative achievements underscored the importance of policy interventions in addressing systemic issues of domestic violence.

Global Impact:

The domestic violence movement led by women has transcended national borders, with activists around the world advocating for change and solidarity. Women like Leymah Gbowee, who played a pivotal role in ending Liberia’s civil war through nonviolent protest, demonstrated the power of grassroots mobilization in confronting violence and promoting peace. Similarly, Malala Yousafzai’s courageous advocacy for girls’ education in the face of violence and oppression inspired a global movement for gender equality and social justice.

Women have been at the forefront of the domestic violence movement, leading with courage, compassion, and resilience. Their contributions, rooted in principles of social justice, have reshaped societal attitudes, influenced policy reforms, and empowered survivors to reclaim their agency. As we continue to strive for a world free from violence and oppression, let us honor the legacy of these women pioneers and stand in solidarity with all those working towards a more just and equitable society.

Tags domestic violence, elizabeth cady stanton, international womens day, sexualviolence, susan b anthony

Womens History Month

HERstory

Post author By Barbie Brashear
Post date March 20, 2023

As we are in full March mode, I am reflecting on the herstory of women in the domestic violence field. I was asked to write something for Women’s History Month, and all that comes to mind is an overwhelming sense of gratitude and the inability to find the words to truly express this. There have been so many women who have guided and mentored me, worked with me and beside me, offered training and education to me, and accepted and loved me. To name them all would take many, many pages. I have much love, admiration, and respect for them all, and they are my HERSTORY. With the opening of the first domestic violence shelter in 1970 by Erin Pizzey (author of Scream Quietly or the Neighbors will Hear, 1974), a movement started and took shape with shelters opening across the county including right here in our community. It is this movement that gave me my first true career and life passion. I have much to be thankful for – and much to be saddened by in that this same work also gave me greater awareness of the incredible suffering and loss that persists for so many women. I know that that this movement took root far sooner than 1970 with women helping women, giving them support, offering a temporary sofa or room in their house to get away for a period of time, offering money to help, and an ear to just listen. This is what women do – support one another and problem solve – and… do all the activities of managing their own families and lives. Let us not forget the power we each have in developing relationships with one another, for this is where change occurs – in positive, respectful relationships with one another. The movement is now professional – and – the work can still be personal. Thank you to all those who have sacrificed and suffered to ensure that women can become safer. Thank you to all those that have been a part of this never-ending work. Women are AMAZING! We are bold, brilliant, beautiful, benevolent, brave, and frankly – BAD ASS!! I admire each and every woman who has come before us to build a better world, and I thank each and every woman who has been courageous enough to share their lives with those of us in the domestic violence movement – we are all in this together and we are better for it. I celebrate you all.

About the Author

Executive Director of HCDVCC,

Barbie Brashear

Tags domestic violence, erin pizzey, herstory, womens history month

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