In the News

 

 

By Alex Davis

 

 

YWCA Bradford leaders took local domestic violence concerns to the federal government last week.

 

Local YWCA representatives spent June 11-15 in Washington as part of the YWCA USA’s 2014 Annual Conference and Women of Distinction Gala.  

 

The YWCA, the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organization in the world, has a mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Women turn to the YWCA in the event of a crisis, or as survivors of rape or domestic violence. The organization supplies safe places for women and girls, builds strong women leaders and advocates for women’s rights and civil rights in Congress. The YWCA offers job training and career counseling, child care, health and fitness and more.

 

“Advocacy at all levels is important to be sure that the voice of our district and rural Pennsylvania is represented,” said Amy L. Pierce, executive director of the YWCA Bradford. “Most important, we represent the people who need the YWCA Bradford. We are the voice for those who need our help.”

 

Pierce said three topics were addressed at the YWCA Annual Conference, including reducing domestic violence homicides due to gun violence; comprehensive immigration reform; and the repeal of the sequester.

 

“While meeting with Congressman (Glenn) Thompson, we focused on HR (House Resolution) 3566 because we serve victims of domestic violence,” Pierce said. “Recently, we have experienced domestic violence homicides due to gun violence and felt it was an important conversation to have with our legislator.”

 

According to Pierce, a double murder-suicide happened in Limestone, N.Y. In December 2013, a Potter County woman was shot by her ex-husband in a Coudersport church while she was playing the organ, Pierce said.

 

House Resolution 3566, known as the Domestic Violence Criminal Disarmament Act of 2013, is to “encourage states to adopt baseline policies that require officials to routinely take into account whether a gun is present in a domestic violence situation and also take steps to remove the firearm from the equation if it is illegally possessed or is determined to be a threat to the victim,” said Democrat U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin in a Huffington Post blog post last year. Moore, who introduced the bill, also spoke at the YWCA Annual Conference.

 

Discussions YWCA Bradford officials had with Thompson weren’t all solemn at the event last week, though.  

 

“Congressman Thompson was gracious and interested in our work and very complimentary of McKean County and Bradford,” Pierce said.  

 

Also during the YWCA Annual Conference, Pierce and other Bradford representatives got front-row seats for speeches given by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Moore. She called them both informative and empowering.

 

“The stories of the women honored at the Women of Distinction Gala were very inspiring and gave us many ideas to bring home to our ‘YW.’ It was also a great feeling to connect with other advocates from YWCAs across the country; we really are part of a worldwide movement working to change the world one community at a time,” Pierce said.

 

Coming off the conference, the YWCA Bradford is ready to move forward, Pierce said.

 

“2015 marks the centennial year for the YWCA Bradford, so we are already working on plans to celebrate our rich history throughout the year,” she said. “We are working on strategic planning and advocacy efforts to ensure that we are strong and ready to move into the future, ensuring that the YWCA is in McKean County for the next 100 years.”

 

For more information about the YWCA Bradford, visit the website www.ywcabradford.org.