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IN THIS ISSUE: An update on our executive recruitment process; Khadijah's story; an invitation to this week's open Board meeting; and more!

Dear Friends and Advocates,

Spring is here, and with it the promise of change and growth. At Women Against Abuse, we too are experiencing a season of change as we say a warm farewell to our Executive Director and President Jeannine L. Lisitski, who recently moved on after 12 years of visionary leadership. 

I am working closely with the Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors on the search for Women Against Abuse's next leader, and am excited for this opportunity for new perspectives, fresh approaches, and continued learning. We have contracted with Bridge Partners, which specializes in cultivating diverse leadership, for this important recruitment process. They are currently working with us to interview key stakeholder groups to inform our search process as intentionally as possible.
 
We hope to be able to introduce you to our new leader in the coming months, and in the meantime, I have every confidence in our leadership team and Board of Directors as they guide the organization through this season of transition.
 
Transition is nothing new for the courageous women, men, and children we serve each day at Women Against Abuse. Survivors of intimate partner violence navigate incredible amounts of change on their journey to safety. Women Against Abuse is their constant through it all - that's really the core of our mission. It's a mission we believe in with all of our hearts, and it's only possible through your support.

Our annual open board meeting is this week, and we'd love for you to join us for this VIRTUAL event!

Thursday, May 19th
6:30 pm ET

This is a great opportunity to hear about our latest
program innovations from senior leaders, and celebrate
key accomplishments from the past year.

Khadijah is a survivor of domestic violence who is a mother, advocate, 2020-21 International Icon Mrs. Pennsylvania, 2020 Miss Celebrations USA Elegant Ms. Pennsylvania, and all-around rock star! Khadijah shared her story with us at Dish It Up, and it inspired us so much that we wanted to make sure everyone had an opportunity to hear it!

We at Women Against Abuse acknowledge that anti-racism work is intrinsically connected to anti-violence work and is central to our mission. The power inequities that exist in an abusive relationship mirror centuries of white supremacy and racism, in which power is reserved only for a few. We believe it is critical to work to dismantle all forms of oppression, including racism, in order to achieve our mission of ending domestic violence.
Pennsylvania legislators are in negotiations to secure funding for domestic violence services as well as many other social service programs in the next fiscal year.  
 
The state budget process appropriates money from various funding streams and distributes it to state agencies and programs. In Pennsylvania, the budget includes a line item for domestic violence services, as well as other line items that fund programs that serve survivors of violence. Each year, there is a risk that these important funds will be allocated elsewhere and this year, legislators must also consider the additional costs of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Over the last few weeks, the policy team at Women Against Abuse has been meeting with members of the state legislature to ask that they prioritize funding for survivors of domestic violence by developing a comprehensive budget that protects all people, especially the most vulnerable. 
 
Now is the best time for you contact your elected official and tell them to reaffirm their commitment to vulnerable members of your community! Take action to ensure that survivors seeking resources are able to receive the help they need here.
 
You can get more involved in the effort by visiting our 
Take Action Center and learn how to take immediate action on legislative issues that impact survivors of domestic violence. 

Jeannine L. Lisitski participated in live interviews with FOX29's Good Day Philadelphia in March and May to speak about the dangers of domestic violence during the pandemic and raise awareness to the resources available. You can watch the clip from March here.


Sojourner House was featured in this special article by the Philadelphia Citizen.

We were grateful to Al Dia for publishing this in-depth piece about intimate partner violence during the pandemic.
Click on the images below to link directly to the corresponding posts.

You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @WomenAgnstAbuse and Instagram @womenagainstabuse
Women Against Abuse’s virtual Dish It Up fundraising event was a memorable evening. We were thrilled to have NBC10's Jacqueline London as our host! Jacqueline interviewed Women Against Abuse Executive Director and President Jeannine L. Lisitski about what it's been like for people experiencing intimate partner violence during COVID-19.

Chef Barbie Marshall of Hell's Kitchen and Hell's Kitchen All Stars presented the Chef for All Seasons Award to Chef Kiki Aranita and Chef Abigail Dahan for their longstanding support.
 
Chef Kiki Aranita of Poi Dog Philadelphia demonstrated her delectable ahi limu poke. And Abigail Dahan, Executive Pastry Chef for Parc Rittenhouse and founder of The Bake School, made a delicious pavlova, topped with whipped cream and berries.
 

It wouldn’t have been Dish It Up without an opportunity to support Women Against Abuse's life-affirming work. Guests were able to see their gifts highlighted on the screen through our live appeal. And it's not too late to be a part of it! 
Many thanks to our sponsors for this year's Dish It Up!

We are so grateful to our many generous
sponsors who make our work possible!
Women Against Abuse does not discriminate on the basis of gender. To request a copy of our Title IX policy or to make a complaint, contact our Title IX Coordinator, the Vice President of Human Resources, at 215-386-1280.