A DANCE WITH THE DEVIL: A TRUE STORY

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 with a San Francisco group,
Justice for Murder Victims. I joined the 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.

VICTIM'S RIGHTS ADVOCACY