The Women's Advocacy Center Elects New Board Officers

For Immediate Release                                           Media Contact: Ivy Johnson, 901-690-1020

February 17, 2025                                                     ivy@womensac.org

Shelby County, TN— The Women's Advocacy Center Announces New Board Chair and Treasurer – The Women's Advocacy Center is pleased to announce the election of Laurie Tucker as the new Board Chair and Terry Morris as the new Treasurer.

Founding President and CEO, Romona Jackson stated, “I am thrilled to be able to announce the new additions to the executive team. Laurie and Terry have been dedicated board members giving selflessly of their resources, skills, and talents to support women and children in need for the past two years. I am confident they will continue to deliver the leadership we need.”

Laurie worked for 35 years at FedEx and served as a primary champion of the brand and customer loyalty, positioning FedEx as one of the most respected and valued brands in the world. As senior vice president of corporate marketing, she was responsible for all aspects of customer marketing, retail, and global brand management. She also held roles in Finance, Pricing, Customer Automation, Logistics, Customer Service, and Sales Planning. A passionate advocate of personal development, Laurie applied inspired leadership, innovation, and analytics to create outstanding results in corporate programming and team performance. Laurie will lead the board with a vision for continued growth and impact. “I am honored to take on this role for an organization whose mission is so important. I look forward to working with the board in this new role,” said new Board Chair, Laurie Tucker.

Terry Morris, a Senior Vice President with Pinnacle Financial Management, is a seasoned financial expert, with 34 years of experience. He will oversee the financial stewardship of the organization. As treasurer, he will help ensure the organization’s sustainability and fiscal responsibility. Terry has served as the past president of the Board for the Fogleman College of Business and the Wings of Cancer Foundation. He has also served on the boards of the University of Memphis National Board of Directors and the Team in Training to raise funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma.

These two new officers complete the executive committee, which includes Janice Kilborne, who continues to serve as the Board Secretary. Janice brings a heart to serve and give, as well as 20 years of customer service, banking, and financing experience. Her commitment and organizational skills have proven invaluable through transition in the past twelve months.

The Women's Advocacy Center is a registered 501(c)3 whose mission is to empower and support survivors and victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking.

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Finding light in Winter's darkness: Support for survivors of domestic abuse

As winter settles in and daylight grows scarce, many people experience changes in their mental health and emotional well-being. For survivors of domestic abuse, these winter months can bring unique challenges to their healing journey. The shorter days, increased isolation, and emotional weight of the season can intensify existing trauma responses and create new obstacles to overcome.

According to the National Center for PTSD, up to 84% of domestic abuse survivors experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with many reporting that these symptoms intensify during winter months. The U.S. Department of Justice's research has found that domestic violence incidents increase by approximately 18% during winter in many regions, highlighting the critical need for increased support during this season.

The impact of winter on survivors goes beyond typical seasonal blues. The early darkness may trigger memories of times they felt trapped or isolated. Cold weather forcing people to stay indoors can echo feelings of confinement that many experienced during abusive situations. Holiday gatherings and financial pressures can resurface complex trauma and feelings of vulnerability. Understanding these unique challenges is crucial for both survivors and their support systems.

The connection between winter and heightened emotional challenges isn't just anecdotal. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry has demonstrated that reduced exposure to natural sunlight affects our mood-regulating neurotransmitters. According to the World Health Organization, abuse survivors are three times more likely to experience depression and anxiety compared to the general population, making these biological changes particularly challenging.

Creating a winter wellness plan can make a significant difference in navigating these challenging months. A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry shows that maintaining social connections can reduce depression symptoms by up to 50%. Simple actions like keeping living spaces well-lit, establishing daily routines, and staying connected with support systems can help counter winter's emotional weight. Research indicates that light therapy shows effectiveness rates of 60% for seasonal mood changes when used for 20-30 minutes each morning.

For many survivors, recognizing when they need additional support is an essential part of their healing journey. You might notice changes in sleep patterns, increased anxiety, more frequent flashbacks, or a stronger urge to isolate. These responses are normal and understandable – a study by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence found that approximately 70% of abuse survivors report experiencing increased anxiety during challenging seasons. Learning to recognize these signs and reach out for support is a crucial part of self-care.

Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that survivors who engage with professional support services are three times more likely to achieve and maintain safety and stability in their lives.

At The Women's Advocacy Center, we understand that healing requires support for every aspect of a woman's life – emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual. We offer programs and services designed to help women and their children move through grief and loss toward healing, hope, and recovery.

Our services include:

·         Housing and Relocation Support

·         Budgeting and Financial Education

·         Legal Advice and Counsel

·         Professional Counseling

·         Emotionally Healthy Parenting Programs

·         Soul Care Support Group

·         Food Assistance

·         Recreational Intervention and Childcare Support

Winter's darkness is temporary, and spring will come again. Until then, no one has to walk this path alone. If you or someone you know is experiencing increased challenges during these winter months, reach out to us. Our experienced team understands the unique barriers to leaving an abusive relationship and is here to help you navigate them.

Learn more about our services and how you can help by visiting our website.

Reflecting on the Inaugural TWAC Domestic Violence Awareness Panel

Michelle Johns, Community Advocate & Owner of Transforming Wellness

Participating as a panelist in The Women's Advocacy Center's domestic violence

awareness panel was an honor and a profound experience. As I reflect on our panel I

am filled with a multitude of emotions—encouragement, inspiration, connection, awe,

empowerment, and sadness. The courage and strength that I witnessed and

experienced during our forum are beyond words.

I had the privilege to sit alongside women who serve our community in diverse aspects

of helping meet the needs of women and children vulnerable due to domestic violence

and it is truly humbling to see the hearts of those willing to help others. The purpose of

our panel was to bring awareness to our community about the impact of domestic

violence and the necessity to persevere in public discussion regarding how domestic

violence affects families and the greater community.

I am encouraged to have met women I had no prior knowledge of and hear their stories

and calling to help bring security to women and children who are forced out of their

homes to save their lives. I am inspired to continue serving women with my gifts and

talents with the knowledge that others like me are also using their gifts and talents to

help women and children leave violence and build a new life safely.

I am sad that so many families are torn apart by unnecessary violence. Children

impacted by domestic violence, whether through witnessing physical, verbal, emotional,

or psychological violence against their mother, are experiencing the violence alongside

their mother. These children often grow up and repeat the patterns of violence in their

homes and communities. The repeated pattern continues to perpetuate harm in homes

and in our greater community.

While domestic violence impacts everyone, it is often viewed as a personal family

matter. In my work assessing domestic violence offenders, I assessed their childhood

history. Remarkably, 100% of the offenders I assessed over three years had been

abused directly or had witnessed abuse against their mother.

Ending domestic violence is the responsibility of everyone. Here are three ways the

average citizen can help:

Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the signs of domestic violence and the

resources available to help victims. Share this information with friends, family, and your

community to raise awareness.

Support Local Organizations: Volunteer your time, donate money, or provide

resources to local shelters and organizations that support victims of domestic violence.

Your contribution can make a significant difference.

Advocate for Change: Get involved in advocacy efforts to support legislation that

protects victims and holds offenders accountable. Use your voice to speak out against

domestic violence and promote policies that foster safe and healthy communities.

Our collective commitment to serving our communities through support, education, and

legislation that protects and honors humanity is the only way to end domestic violence. I

am committed to continuing my work in this vein, as long as the Lord is willing to sustain

me in such a purpose. I ask you, reader, to come alongside me and others in our

community to do the same.

Together, we can create a world where every individual feels safe, valued, and

empowered. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this transformative experience.

Learn more about The Women's Advocacy Center and how you can contribute here.