Tag: erin pizzey

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.