HOW DID MY POLITICAL
ADVOCACY JOURNEY BEGIN?
After being the victim of a psychopath husband, I became the
victim of the no-fault divorce law of California. I was told that I
would have to pay alimony, give up half o f my retirement fund,
and pay car and medical insurance until the divorce was final.
As you can imagine, I became angry...very angry...at the
absurdity and it launched me into action. I had found passion.
HOW DID I LEARN POLITICAL ADVOCACY?
I knew nothing of about the inner workings of politics, let
alone the process to get a bill passed. But I had passion. I
wanted to change an unfair law so others would not have to
suffer like I did. Armed with patience and persistence, it took
me almost two years to find a legislator willing to carry the
bill. I had been told the law could not be changed.
Assemblyman Richard Rainey became my knight in shining
armour. I worked with his legislative aides and learned what
it would take to change the law...step by step. I used my
organizational skills, my speaking ability and my
stubbornness until I realized I had become the sponsor of
the bill, a role usually filled by an organization.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
STAND! against domestic violence. If you observe an incident, report
it to the police for intervention.
If you, a loved one or a friend thinks they are in a domestic violence
relationship, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233 or your local domestic violence organization for help.
If you see a wrong, and want to right it, ignite your passion, and use
patience and persistence to fulfill it.
WHAT TYPES OF VICTIMS ADVOCACY DID I JOIN?
It took me two years to break free from my victim's shroud and I
entered what I call my "going beyond self" journey. I became involved
Speaker's Bureau of Battered Women's Alternatives, now known as
STAND! Against Domestic Violence. Independently I presented "One
Person Can Make a Difference" to diverse groups.
ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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Copyright 2009, Barbara Bentley. All rights reserved. No contents can be used without permission from the author.
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Memoir..True Crime Inspirational ...California Law Published by BERKLEY BOOKS, an imprint of Penguin USA
"This book is truly a page turner....a shocking account of deception and betrayal."
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