About Us

• Helped secure a ban on corporal punishment in the Memphis City Schools with our "stop the hitting" campaign and with diverse and expert speakers at all public discussions.


• Trained volunteers, then documented needs of domestic violence victims and staff in the Order of Protection hearing room in our Court Watch project, working with community partners. Already our presence has led to new signage in the Criminal Justice System and new designated private space where victims and victim advocates can meet.


• Contacted state legislators to support the increased penalty for breaking Orders of Protection and to cheer the passage of that legislation.


• Rallied support for a Living Wage for city employees. In February, the City Council passed a living wage for all full-time employees and set a schedule for addressing other wages by Oct. 15!


• Launched the community's first Local Policy Online Action Center on our website. Memphiswomen.org continues to provide links to multiple issues of concern to women, a calendar of local events, even voter registration available in English and Spanish.


• Organized the "Women's Policy Action Summit 2004" and a series of "Mondays with MAWC" to focus community attention on the Living Wage, Title IX/gender equity and domestic violence.

Underway now:

• A new action project on teen pregnancy prevention with community partners at the Center for Research on Women, UTCHS and others.


• A Workforce Action Collaborative linking lowest-wage women with researchers, activists and practitioners to identify and change barriers to full employment.


• Girls for Change, issues leadership and empowerment for girls 13-17, in partnership with the Center for Research on Women and the UofM Women's Studies program.


• Expanded Court Watch into General Sessions criminal courts.