Welcome from the Executive Director

Only one organization unites women's voices in strategic action to change policies for Shelby County women and girls - the Memphis Area Women's Council. With the help of a passionate volunteer board and linkages to the right partners and funders on specific strategic actions - the Women's Council is making change.

--Deborah Clubb, Executive Director

Recent News

RUN WOMEN RUN
A non-partisan training and networking event

Feb. 6, 2010; 1:30pm – 4:30 pm
Rhodes College - Buckman Hall

(Reception to follow)

Training event available to first 100 registrants.

Why Run: Developing Your Message
Panelists: Karen Camper, Tennessee House of Representatives, District 87;
Mike Carpenter, Shelby County Commissioner, District 1;
Janice Holder, Chief Justice Tennessee Supreme Court

How to Run: Financing Your Campaign
Panelists: Sharon Goldsworthy, Mayor, City of Germantown;
Adrienne Pakis-Gillon, recent Tennessee Senate candidate;
Ruby Wharton, attorney
Cost: $20 if registration paid by Feb. 2
Cost day-of: $25

To register, email dclubb@memhiswomen.org.

Mail checks to
Memphis Area Women’s Council, 2574 Sam Cooper Blvd.,
Memphis TN 38112

Presenting Sponsors:
Memphis Area Women’s Council
League of Women Voters of Memphis and Shelby County
Tennessee Economic Council on Women
National Association of Women Business Owners
Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus
Memphis Women’s Political Caucus

Publicity mounts for organization

Whether it is writing a letter to the local daily editor, becoming a source for an article about domestic violence and abuse centered on a national celebrity, or being included in a current photo with a seminal figure in women’s issues (Gloria Steinem), MAWC continues to bring public attention to important subjects in our community and state.

>>see more

Clothesline Project gives DV victims a voice

The Clothesline Project, a display of t-shirt art crafted by women and children throughout our community who have experienced family violence. Currently on display at Lindenwood Christian Church (2400 Union Avenue at East Parkway), on Sunday, Oct. 4, The Clothesline items will move to the main public library for display throughout October.

photos from grand opening event :

Mayor Wharton, Health Department, Transition Team Release MSARC Report

Memphis, TN. - When Shelby County Government assumed official control of the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center (MSARC) on July 1, Mayor A C Wharton announced that county officials would provide a comprehensive evaluation report, along with plans for structure and organization within 90 days. Today, ahead of schedule, Mayor Wharton, Memphis and Shelby County Health Department officials, and the MSARC transition team have completed a thorough agency assessment and are announcing a long-term operations plan for MSARC.

>>Read full article

Domestic Violence Court Opens

On the day the new Domestic Violence Court opened, the judge and other officials held a press conference to underline just how much the court is needed in Memphis and Shelby County.

Judge Lee Wilson, who now presides over General Sessions Criminal Court Division 10 specializing in family violence cases, said he heard a "light" docket that morning of about 150 cases. He expects to hear at least 200 cases a day as the result of rising numbers of local criminal cases related to domestic violence.

Deborah M. Clubb, executive director of Memphis Area Women's Council, participated in the public event held in the courtroom. She said the new court is a vital part of a coordinated community response to the DV problem, and urged other court judges and clerks to do what they can to make a successful pursuit of justice in family violence cases.

>>read on

Mayor taps MAWC's Clubb

Deborah M. Clubb, executive director of Memphis Area Women's Council, has been appointed to a new advisory group charged with helping guide the transition of the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center from a City of Memphis to a Shelby County agency. Clubb will be one of 18 - 20 members who are asked to work with a government team assigned to compile a report on a long-term vision of MSARC by October 1 of this year. Wharton said the new Victims of Crime Advisory League (VOCAL) will ensure that "the victim's voice is adequately heard in constructing this vision."

>>Read Mayor Wharton's full letter

Girls For Change presents drama

Our leadership and activism training series, Girls For Change, this year created a dramatic skit about sexual harassment. The piece was performed during the All About Women conference in downtown Memphis at the Cook Convention Center. The performance team included, left to right, Catherine Clubb-Brown, Ludella Coleman, Joanna Sanchez, Alejandra Romero and Shaquacia Dowdy.

The girls crafted the script using data from a new study of sexual harassment in local schools undertaken by the Women's Council and the Center for Research on Women at the University of Memphis. The survey of more than 600 girls and boys in local public, private and parochial schools showed that nine of 10 girls in local schools have experienced sexual harassment - incidents from being called ugly sexual names to actual rape - at least once in their current school. >>view image gallery

Advocates upset over mayor's MSARC remarks

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - Womens' advocates had a lot to say after Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton's explosive presentation Tuesday to the Memphis City Council about problems at the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center. Memphis Area Women's Council Executive Director Deborah Clubb said she was offended when Mayor Willie Herenton accused politicians and community advocates of ignoring crime involving African Americans. "To have heard the mayor indicate that somehow we were there only because people who look like me are suddenly worried is inappropriate and insulting," she said Wednesday.

>>read on

Panel to discuss domestic violence issues at library

The League of Women Voters sponsored a panel discussion and question-answer session about the problem of domestic violence at the Memphis Public Library in May.

The meeting was open to the public.

Speakers included:

• Deborah Clubb, Memphjis Area Women's Council
• Connie Ross, Family Safety Center
• Sonja White, Memphis Area Legal Services and Domestic Violence Council
• Karen Cook, District Attorney's Office
• Carrie Allison Brooks, Center for Research on Women
• Amanda Cook, Sophia's House

Strong women honored.

Council founder and board member Happy Jones has been honored this year by the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis as one of several "Women Leaders Ascending." She is one of six women honored. The others are Minerva Johnican, Susan Sanford, Maxine Smith, Dr. Jane Walters and Jeanne Varnell. http://www.wfgm.org.

Board President Sonja White was one of seven women awarded by Women of Achievement this year. Sonja received the Vision award from the coalition. http://www.womenofachievement.org.

And that's not all. In early May Sonja learned that she would receive the 2010 Advocate of the Year Award from Mothers of the NILE, a non-profit organization focusing on local efforts to reduce the number of young people entering the criminal and juvenile justice systems. The group comes under the umbrella of the National Institute of Law and Equity, whose mission is to raise public understanding about the criminal justice system.

Council board member Jocelyn Wurzburg was honored by the Greater Memphis YWCA this year with the 2009 President's Award for Distinguished Community Leadership. Jocelyn is a professional mediator and a community activist.