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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| VICTIM'S RIGHTS ADVOCACY |
| ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE |
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." |
| Copyright 2010, Barbara Bentley. All rights reserved. No contents can be used without permission from the author. |
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| Notes from one of my lobby days at the state capitol |