In recognizing March as Women’s History Month, we wanted to look back at just a few women, who have been pioneers in getting society to recognize and work toward ending domestic violence, as well as supporting survivors and victims. The pioneers of change were fighting for women’s rights in the 1970s – a time lived through by our mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and many of us ourselves. As this bit of history illustrates, the “history” of progress doesn’t go back very far. And, we know there is still important work to do.
Erin Pizzey–Opened the 1st domestic abuse shelter in England in 1971. She later published a book, Scream Quietly or the Neighbors Will Hear, containing unedited letters from victims themselves.
Dr. Lenore Walker– A trailblazer for women’s rights in the ’70s, identified ‘Battered Woman Syndrome,’ now associated w/PTSD, developing a questionnaire to clinically assess the psychological effects of abuse. She is a director of the Domestic Violence Institute, a nonprofit to “educate policymakers and communities around the world about domestic violence and other forms of gender violence.
Tracey Thurman– In 1985, after suffering a brutal attack from her husband, resulting in partial paralysis from a broken neck; her case lead to Connecticut’s 1986 Family Violence Prevention and Response Act. This ultimately changed police departments across the U.S. and brought more awareness to the realities of domestic violence. A 1989 movie based on Thurman’s story, A Cry for Help, also helped enlighten every one of domestic violence.
Jan Langbein– After volunteering at the Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support in Dallas, a 7 room emergency shelter, she later became the CEO. She turned the 7 room emergency shelter into a full-service response center for survivors of domestic violence. This led to her co-founding the annual International Conference on Crimes Against Women alongside the FBI and Dallas Police Department. Langbein is often called on to provide expert testimony in court cases on the effects of domestic abuse. She also trains prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement across the country. She was appointed by President George W. Bush as a senior policy advisor to the director of the U.S. Dept. of Justice Office on Violence Against Women. She has been recognized with many awards, including the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.
Lovern J. Gordon– Up until the age of 15, Gordon witnessed her mother being mentally and physically abused by her father. She later found herself in an abusive relationship for over 2 years, finally ending it after enduring a 5-hour long beating. She survived the trauma and went on to earn 2 pageant titles for Mrs. Ethnic New England 2010 & World National 2011, choosing Awareness Against Domestic Violence as her platform to promote during her reigns. Her lifelong path of advocacy led her to be the founder of the Love Life Now Foundation, raising thousands of dollars for shelters across the state of Massachusetts. She still conducts educational workshops at high schools and college campuses.
These are just a few of the many women who have spent countless hours advocating and fighting for victims’ rights and trying to end Domestic Violence. You do not have to be a celebrity, or doctor, or an award-winning community leader to help stop domestic violence. And although we are talking about Women Pioneers this month, we want to acknowledge everyone, not just women, who have and will continue to fight for and be the voice for survivors and victims every day. THANK YOU!
If you are able, please call or see the messaging links above:
Haven Office: 918-554-2836
Text Line: 918.533.3070
Crime Victim Advocate: 541.602.0616
Program Website: https://havenprogram.com/
Program Email: havenprogram@estoo.net
Facebook: HAVEN Tribal Program, Twitter: @ProgramHaven, Instagram: HAVENTRIBALProgram.
Our advocates are here to help!
