Special Thanks to:
Presenting Sponsor Norton Women's Care Flagship Sponsor Brown-Forman
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The Center THEN...
The Center for Women and Families’ mission is to help victims of intimate partner abuse or sexual violence to become survivors through supportive services, community education and cooperative partnerships that foster hope, promote self-sufficiency and rebuild lives. Each year, The Center provides
direct services to more than 7,000 individuals and reaches many more through community awareness, education, and violence prevention initiatives across Kentuckiana.
The Center for Women and Families grew from a one-room office in the YWCA (above) to five locations today.
AND NOW...
The Center’s comprehensive, wrap-around services are designed to meet the holistic needs of individuals and families as they establish safety and heal from the trauma of violence. These services achieve three primary objectives: crisis response, ongoing supportive services, and violence prevention. Crisis response services include 24-hour crisis line and walk-in services, emergency shelter, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Clinic services, hospital advocacy, and emergency legal advocacy. Ongoing supportive services are therapy and counseling sessions, child advocacy and enrichment, as well as legal, medical, economic success and housing advocacy. While direct service is at the heart of all we do, violence prevention is our passion. The Center’s prevention education program provides community education and prevention programming across Kentuckiana. Additionally, we have woven evidence-based prevention strategies throughout our direct services in order to limit the escalation of existing violence, and to prevent the perpetuation of violence across generations.
In operation since 1912, The Center for Women and Families grew from a oneroom office in the YWCA. We opened the first domestic violence shelter in Kentucky in 1977, and now serve nine counties throughout Kentuckiana. Our five locations include two emergency shelters, two transitional shelter spaces, a 22-unit Section 8 housing facility, non-residential meeting spaces for counseling and support groups, and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Clinic located at our downtown Louisville location.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. — U.S. Center for Disease Control
WOMEN OF DISTINCTION 2014 | Center for Women and Families
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2014
Women of Distinction PHOTOS BY BARBARA MONTGOMERY
Ann L. Coffey currently serves as the Chief of Staff for the Office of Advancement at the University of Louisville. Prior to joining the University of Louisville, Ann was President and Chief Executive Officer of Women 4 Women (W4W), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and economic well-being of women and girls in the community. During her tenure, W4W launched Champions 4 Her Walk, Run & Festival, raising money and awareness for 10 aligned mission organizations. In addition, she also launched The Fund 4 Women and Girls, Louisville’s first community based fund, the Finance 4 Her financial education
Since 1988 The Center for Women and Families has recognized outstanding women in the community through the Women of Distinction Award. An individual honored as a Woman of Distinction has given a lifetime of professional and/or volunteer services that has left and indelible mark on the Kentuckiana community. Women of distinction have made significant contributions to education, health care, civil rights, the arts, human services, the welfare of children and the advancement of women.
Phyllis E. Florman program for underserved families and Fit 4 Me, a holistic health and fitness program. She also served in Governor Martha Layne Collins’ administration as a special assistant to the Governor, organizing the first Bluegrass State games and coordinating educational efforts across the state. Ann continues to be passionate about making a contribution to women and girls.
WORDS SHE LIVES BY:
“Be the Change you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi
presently serves as the President of the Mary Byron Project. The Mary Byron Project was established in 2000 in memory of the young woman whose tragic murder led to the creation of automated crime victim notification technologies. As a nationally recognized thought leader on domestic violence, the Mary Byron Project cultivates and supports efforts that extend beyond crisis management to attack the root causes of this epidemic and help build safer, healthier communities. Committed to elevating the status of women and their families, she served as
a commissioner of the Louisville Jefferson County Human Relations Commission and was appointed three times to the Kentucky commission on women. During her third term Phyllis was elected Vice-Chair of the National Association of Commission on Women. Other career highlights include President of the Louisville Bar Foundation, The University of Louisville Law Alumni Association, and The Family Place, a child sexual abuse treatment agency. She is grateful for the opportunities, people, family friends and life experiences, which have enabled her to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
WORDS SHE LIVES BY:
“We change the world by the sum total of our actions, not just by a single accomplishment.”
About the Award Each award is a one-of-a-kind, hand-sculpted piece of glass art handcrafted by artist Devyn Baron of Flame Run Glass Studio and Gallery. 4 Center for Women and Families | WOMEN OF DISTINCTION 2014
Women of Distinction Past Honorees
Joan E. Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award The Center for Women and Families’ Joan E. Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award for Peace Making recognizes an individual whose work exemplifies a deep commitment to social and economic justice. The award is designed to honor the foot soldiers on the front lines who offer their time, talent, energy and resources to empower marginalized individuals, families and communities. The honoree’s labor witness to the life and values of Joan E. Thomas.
Markham French has been the Executive Director of Plymouth Community Renewal Center for eight years. Plymouth was established in 1917 and was the sixth settlement house in the city of Louisville and the first to serve African Americans. Today, Plymouth is a community-based organization providing a variety of programs and services to address the needs of individuals, families, and youth. Throughout its 96-year history, Plymouth has proved to be a vital resource to those living in the Russell neighborhood and surrounding metropolitan area. The Russell neighborhood, population approximately 8,808, is part of the 40203 zip code. The 40203 zip code was recently identified by the IRS as the 13th poorest zip code in the nation. Currently Markham French is using his position at Plymouth Community Renewal Center as a bully pulpit to advocate for intensive case management and wrap around support services for African-American males ages 18 to 35 — a population that represented more than a third of the city’s homicide victims in 2011. He began his career in the field of human services as a Probation and Parole Officer. He opted not to carry a gun, heeding the wisdom of his favorite television character Sherriff Andy Taylor who said of himself, "When a man carries a gun all the time, the respect he thinks he's getting might really be fear. So I don't carry a gun because I don't want the people to fear a gun. I'd rather they respect me." Markham French spent eight years in Memphis, Tennessee, working at the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center as a Parenting Class Instructor and Outreach Coordinator, where he advocated against the use of spanking. Markham French is a native of Louisville. His ties to the Center for Women and Families started early in his life as he was a child patient of Joan Thomas, one of the Center’s most loyal supporters and benefactors. He earned a degree in Sociology from Morehead State University and attended the University of Louisville School of Law. 6 Center for Women and Families | WOMEN OF DISTINCTION 2014
1988 Helen Abell* Mary Bingham* Sara “Sally” Shallenberger Brown* Mary Helen Byck* Amelia Brown Frazier* Doni Greenebaum* Jane L. Greenebaum* Jane Morton Norton* Murray A. Walls* Hortense H. Young* 1989 Alberta Wood Allen* Minx M. Auerbach* Gerta Bendl* Gladys W. Carter* Virginia Mason* Elaine Gifford Musselman* Georgia M. Powers Dr. Joan E. Thomas* 1990 Dr. Dudley Ashton* Betty S. Fleischaker Maud Fliegelman Barbara S. Miller* Lois Walker Morris* Frances M. Parrish* Rose L. Rubel* Evelyn L. Waldrop* 1991 Betty Arrasmith* Phyllis Knight Gifford* Mae Street Kidd* Margaret Read Mary Rudd* 1992 Jane Barth Anderson* Jeanne B. Frank* Bettie L. Johnson Mary J. Mullins* Sister Angelice Seibert* 1993 Polly Zimmer Cochran* Ming Dick* Dr. Lucy M. Freibert, SCN Helen Helman* Harriett Porter*
1994 Eileen M. Egan, SCN, J.D.,Ph.D.* Eleanor J. Hutchinson* Katherine G. Peden* Inez Segell Mary Norton Shands* Marjorie Smith* 1995 Lilialyce Akers, Ph.D.* Clementine B. “Tiny” Barthold Renee Butterworth Daisy P. Hitchcock Virginia T. Keeney, M.D. Carolyn Neustadt 1996 Thelma Bertrand Anne Braden* Helen Lew Lang Johnetta Marshall Naomi Pressma Mary K. Bonsteel Tacha* 1997 Juanita Burks Claudia Crump, Ph.D. Fanny Rose Rosenbaum Cornelia Atherton Serpell* Sue Speed 1998 Ruth K. Bledsoe Dolores S. Delahanty Leah J. Dickstein, M.D. Marilyn A. McLaughlin Bette Payne* 1999 Dora B. Bush* Jane C. Duerr* Marlene M. Grissom Lillian C. Milanof Lizzie G. Miller * denotes deceased
2000 Eleanor L. Foreman Molly Leonard* Tommie Cadden O’Callaghan Suzy Post Terry Sales* 2001 Sister Guadalupe Arciniega Mary ‘Polly’ Hise Brown* Ella Roberts* Marie Robertson* Katherine Jones Smith* 2002 Hazel Bales* Nina Bonnie Johnnie Jones Joyce Seymour Roanne Victor 2003 Marie K. Abrams Mary Moss Greenebaum Allie Corbin Hixson* Kathryn M. Raines* Ceciliana Skees, S.L. Margaret Yeager Williams* 2004 Elmer Lucille Allen Gray Henry-Blakemore June Parrish-Hicks* Mary Ann Sodrel Shelly Zegart 2005 Nana Yaa Asantewaa Marie Clay Mary Stone Maura Temes Letitia “Letty” Walter 2006 Juanita Beach Reba Doutrick Jean Frazier Adele Leight Alice Lucille Martin 2007 Martha Layne Collins Cheryl Hillenburg Pam Johnson Jessica Loving Charlotte Tharp Marsha Weinstein 2008 Carol Butler Julie Hermann Denise Spratt Dr. Lillian Yeager* Cathy Zion 2009 Alice Brooks Crit Luallen Marcia Roth Kathy Smith-Andrew Joanne McCarten Weis 2010 M. Gabriela Alcalde Bonnie M. Brown Kathy Grubbs Clemons Judi C. Patton Amy Weston Roth 2011 Jane Godchaux Emke Eleanor Jordan Alice Miles Andree Mondor Shelley Santry 2012 First Lady Jane Beshear Carrolle Jones Clay Connie Fox & Diane Graeter Kim Greene Lindy B. Street 2013 Madeline Abramson Dr. Renee Campbell Susan Ely Tori Murden McClure Mary Gwen Wheeler
Women of Distinction Past Honorees
Joan E. Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award The Center for Women and Families’ Joan E. Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award for Peace Making recognizes an individual whose work exemplifies a deep commitment to social and economic justice. The award is designed to honor the foot soldiers on the front lines who offer their time, talent, energy and resources to empower marginalized individuals, families and communities. The honoree’s labor witness to the life and values of Joan E. Thomas.
Markham French has been the Executive Director of Plymouth Community Renewal Center for eight years. Plymouth was established in 1917 and was the sixth settlement house in the city of Louisville and the first to serve African Americans. Today, Plymouth is a community-based organization providing a variety of programs and services to address the needs of individuals, families, and youth. Throughout its 96-year history, Plymouth has proved to be a vital resource to those living in the Russell neighborhood and surrounding metropolitan area. The Russell neighborhood, population approximately 8,808, is part of the 40203 zip code. The 40203 zip code was recently identified by the IRS as the 13th poorest zip code in the nation. Currently Markham French is using his position at Plymouth Community Renewal Center as a bully pulpit to advocate for intensive case management and wrap around support services for African-American males ages 18 to 35 — a population that represented more than a third of the city’s homicide victims in 2011. He began his career in the field of human services as a Probation and Parole Officer. He opted not to carry a gun, heeding the wisdom of his favorite television character Sherriff Andy Taylor who said of himself, "When a man carries a gun all the time, the respect he thinks he's getting might really be fear. So I don't carry a gun because I don't want the people to fear a gun. I'd rather they respect me." Markham French spent eight years in Memphis, Tennessee, working at the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center as a Parenting Class Instructor and Outreach Coordinator, where he advocated against the use of spanking. Markham French is a native of Louisville. His ties to the Center for Women and Families started early in his life as he was a child patient of Joan Thomas, one of the Center’s most loyal supporters and benefactors. He earned a degree in Sociology from Morehead State University and attended the University of Louisville School of Law. 6 Center for Women and Families | WOMEN OF DISTINCTION 2014
1988 Helen Abell* Mary Bingham* Sara “Sally” Shallenberger Brown* Mary Helen Byck* Amelia Brown Frazier* Doni Greenebaum* Jane L. Greenebaum* Jane Morton Norton* Murray A. Walls* Hortense H. Young* 1989 Alberta Wood Allen* Minx M. Auerbach* Gerta Bendl* Gladys W. Carter* Virginia Mason* Elaine Gifford Musselman* Georgia M. Powers Dr. Joan E. Thomas* 1990 Dr. Dudley Ashton* Betty S. Fleischaker Maud Fliegelman Barbara S. Miller* Lois Walker Morris* Frances M. Parrish* Rose L. Rubel* Evelyn L. Waldrop* 1991 Betty Arrasmith* Phyllis Knight Gifford* Mae Street Kidd* Margaret Read Mary Rudd* 1992 Jane Barth Anderson* Jeanne B. Frank* Bettie L. Johnson Mary J. Mullins* Sister Angelice Seibert* 1993 Polly Zimmer Cochran* Ming Dick* Dr. Lucy M. Freibert, SCN Helen Helman* Harriett Porter*
1994 Eileen M. Egan, SCN, J.D.,Ph.D.* Eleanor J. Hutchinson* Katherine G. Peden* Inez Segell Mary Norton Shands* Marjorie Smith* 1995 Lilialyce Akers, Ph.D.* Clementine B. “Tiny” Barthold Renee Butterworth Daisy P. Hitchcock Virginia T. Keeney, M.D. Carolyn Neustadt 1996 Thelma Bertrand Anne Braden* Helen Lew Lang Johnetta Marshall Naomi Pressma Mary K. Bonsteel Tacha* 1997 Juanita Burks Claudia Crump, Ph.D. Fanny Rose Rosenbaum Cornelia Atherton Serpell* Sue Speed 1998 Ruth K. Bledsoe Dolores S. Delahanty Leah J. Dickstein, M.D. Marilyn A. McLaughlin Bette Payne* 1999 Dora B. Bush* Jane C. Duerr* Marlene M. Grissom Lillian C. Milanof Lizzie G. Miller * denotes deceased
2000 Eleanor L. Foreman Molly Leonard* Tommie Cadden O’Callaghan Suzy Post Terry Sales* 2001 Sister Guadalupe Arciniega Mary ‘Polly’ Hise Brown* Ella Roberts* Marie Robertson* Katherine Jones Smith* 2002 Hazel Bales* Nina Bonnie Johnnie Jones Joyce Seymour Roanne Victor 2003 Marie K. Abrams Mary Moss Greenebaum Allie Corbin Hixson* Kathryn M. Raines* Ceciliana Skees, S.L. Margaret Yeager Williams* 2004 Elmer Lucille Allen Gray Henry-Blakemore June Parrish-Hicks* Mary Ann Sodrel Shelly Zegart 2005 Nana Yaa Asantewaa Marie Clay Mary Stone Maura Temes Letitia “Letty” Walter 2006 Juanita Beach Reba Doutrick Jean Frazier Adele Leight Alice Lucille Martin 2007 Martha Layne Collins Cheryl Hillenburg Pam Johnson Jessica Loving Charlotte Tharp Marsha Weinstein 2008 Carol Butler Julie Hermann Denise Spratt Dr. Lillian Yeager* Cathy Zion 2009 Alice Brooks Crit Luallen Marcia Roth Kathy Smith-Andrew Joanne McCarten Weis 2010 M. Gabriela Alcalde Bonnie M. Brown Kathy Grubbs Clemons Judi C. Patton Amy Weston Roth 2011 Jane Godchaux Emke Eleanor Jordan Alice Miles Andree Mondor Shelley Santry 2012 First Lady Jane Beshear Carrolle Jones Clay Connie Fox & Diane Graeter Kim Greene Lindy B. Street 2013 Madeline Abramson Dr. Renee Campbell Susan Ely Tori Murden McClure Mary Gwen Wheeler
WOMEN OF DISTINCTION 2014 | Center for Women and Families
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