May 2018

Clubb Speaks at National Crime 
Victims' Rights Week Salute

April offers special attention to the needs of all crime victims during National Crime Victims'  Rights Week.

Women's Council executive director Deborah Clubb gave keynote comments during the  Memphis commemoration of NCVRW hosted by several state agencies on May 10. Amy  McCullough, Victims Witness Director, Shelby County District Attorney General's Office, received the Memphis Voice for Victims Award at the event hosted by the  Tennessee Board of Parole, Department of Correction, Rehabilitative Initiative in Correction  (TRICOR) and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.


2018 Memphis Voice for Victims award honoree Amy McCullough is congratulated by Tina Fox,  Tennessee Board of Paroles: 
LaRita Bearden, retired Victim Witness Coordinator for U.S.
Attorney's Office (West Tennessee); TBP Board Member Roberta Kustoff; Deborah Clubb,  MAWC; Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich and Channel 24 news anchor Richard  Ransom.

Deborah, who was the 2013 Voice for Victims honoree, talked about the importance of  survivors' voices and strong community support. She said in part:

"What do survivors of crime want?

"I believe they want to be heard. I believe they want to know that someone who understands  their situation is willing to listen and to care.

"I believe they want support through the confusion of police work and the exhaustion of courts and hearings and motions and trials and then parole and probation.

"I believe they want to feel safe and protected from those who hurt them or hurt their dear  ones.

"And they want to believe that our system of laws will bring them justice.

"Can we provide all of that to every survivor of crime?

"It is an enormous challenge and we must expect our systems of service and of justice, yes, to do that.

"The leaders of our criminal justice system, including the leading non-profit community  agencies who step up to take on many of these tasks, must constantly collaborate to increase  their capacity and to identify and fill gaps in support. They must be held accountable for their work - and they must be offered the personnel and technology to do everything that should be done.

"After all, the idea of victims or survivors' rights is new when you think of the 242 years our  nation has existed. State legislatures and Congress passed the first victims' rights legislation in the mid-1980s -- - only 34 or so years ago.

"The Violence Against Women Act became law in 1994 and has fostered enormous change in  services, shelter, advocacy and safety for women endangered by intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.

"And only in 2004 - just 14 years ago - the landmark Crime Victims' Rights Act listed eight  specific rights for those hurt and their families. Efforts to spread understanding of the rights of  victims of crime are still very needed and we appreciate the faithful efforts of groups and  professionals such as the TN Board of Parole and their companion agencies whose annual  tree-planting  ceremonies raised that awareness...

"We must continue to be creative, to be diligent and committed to bringing to crime survivors all the  support and services they need to rebuild and continue past the trauma of loss, of pain and  grief. 

"We must continue to work together, too, to change behavior, to spread the messages of  Memphis Says NO MORE, to stop violence:

"No More 'well, she was drunk.'

"No More 'but he's from such a good family.'

"No More 'I'll say something next time.'

"No More 'It's not my problem.'"


Memphis Says NO MORE joins 
rally at LeMoyne-Owen

Partners at the Shelby County Rape Crisis Center organized a special sexual assault awareness event at LeMoyne-Owen College featuring a panel on campus sexual assault, an empowerment march, info fair, lunch and speakers.

The Stand with Survivors event was held in honor of survivors of sexual violence and in  support of the #MeToo movement, including #MeTooShelbyCounty, #UsTooShelbyCounty,  #MeTooLOC and #UsTooLOC.


Memphis Police Director Mike Rallings traded his usual approachable smile for a stern "No  More" glare as he posed at the Stand with Survivors event.


Tributes to founder Happy Jones 
support Council

The Women's Council is grateful for the generous tributes in honor of Happy Jones. A founder and generous supporter of the Memphis Area Women's Council and a legendary women's rights and social justice champion, Happy passed away in November. 

Recent donations to the MAWC Founders' Fund in Happy's memory came from Herschel and Noel Schwartz and Snow and Henry Morgan.

Tributes in Happy's honor can be made in support of the Women's Council and Women of Achievement to the MAWC Founders' Fund. Donations can be made using PayPal here


Local Women Run in Numbers 
in County Elections

Stand up and run! That was the repeated message by panelists at the Run Women Run 2017 election training event organized by the Women's Council, the Memphis & Shelby County League of Women Voters and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women - Memphis Chapter in November.

This week we see a result: seven women ran in Republican primary for county positions and 17 ran in Democratic races. Seven more are lined up to join the ballot on Aug. 2 for four school board seats and still more will vie then for state and federal jobs.

The county primary is today - VOTE!   And take a close look at the outstanding women on the ballot.

With only four women serving among 26 seats in the Memphis City Council and County Commission - with five women among 19 in the state legislative delegation - with no female mayors in the county - it is time for women to run, panelists said.  

Vote for women!


2017's Top Word: Feminism

The never-ceasing debate about the meaning of feminism was revived during discussion of the life and times of First Lady Barbara Bush who died last month. She is remembered for a well-received commencement address at Wellesley where some students first objected to her as speaker because of her focus on her marriage and family rather than a career outside the home.
      
Looking at those stories online we were reminded that dictionary publishers Merriam-Webster named
feminism the 2017 Word of the Year as it was the top lookup throughout the year of protest marches, #MeToo and other news stories.
       
Merriam-Webster prefers a simple definition: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes; organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.
       
There is lots of room there for action - and for agreement. Rights and opportunity are the point. May we all put our energy there, whatever label we do or do not accept.
Issue: 36
In T his Issue

Crime Victims Saluted

Stand with Survivors at LeMoyne

Founder Happy Jones Honored

Women Run in Numbers

#1 Word: Feminism

WomenTalk June 11

DV/Workplace Training

About MAWC

THE WOMEN'S COUNCIL NEEDS
 YOU! 

We cannot do this work without your support. 



June 11 WomenTalk

Make time for WomenTalk on Monday June 11. A time and a place - just to talk. Gather 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Women's Council, 2574 Sam Cooper at Bingham. Bring whatever is on your mind. Enjoy a beverage and a snack.
     
Invite your friends! See you in June!



Effects of DV and assault on workplace

Sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault - all are part of the workplace.
     
We can help. To organize a presentation, training or workshop, contact Deborah Clubb at dclubb@memphiswomen.org. 
      
The Women's Council has trained more than 500 managers and business owners at scores of local workplaces through the "Victims at Home. Violence at Work." program. From the Airport Authority to Methodist LeBonheur, from Agape non-profit to Memphis Theological Seminary and more.
    
Let us help you make your workplace safer and more just - no matter the size and anywhere from office to campus to church to clinic. Call us: 901-378-3866.


 
About Memphis Area Women's Council

The Memphis Area Women's Council is a non-profit dedicated to advocacy to assure equity and opportunity for local women and girls. Our goal is strategic changes in policy, procedure, law and regulations that remove barriers, eliminate sexism and assure equal access. 

For more information or to donate visit our website or contact Deborah Clubb at dclubb@memphiswomen.org. 



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