The Women History Classes Forgot to Mention
When we think of history’s most influential figures, we often hear about politicians, scientists, and activists who made sweeping changes. However, the subject of domestic violence is often overlooked and many of the women who transformed the movement to end domestic violence remain overlooked. Their work has shaped policies, shifted cultural narratives, and, most importantly, saved lives.
In honor of Women’s Month, here are three pioneers in the domestic violence prevention movement whose contributions deserve recognition and appreciation.
- Esta Soler (b. 1948) – Architect of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
One of the most significant victories in domestic violence prevention came with the passage of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994, a federal law that protects victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Esta Soler played a major role in making it happen. As the founder of Futures Without Violence, Soler spent years advocating for federal protections for survivors (Futures Without Violence, 2021).
Soler’s work didn’t stop there. She’s continued advocating for global policy changes, pushing to integrate domestic violence prevention into healthcare, education, and the workplace. Her leadership shows that advocacy isn’t just about raising awareness, it’s about changing laws and systems to protect survivors.
(Image: Ted Talks)
- Tillie Black Bear (1946–2014) – The Matriarch of Indigenous Domestic Violence Advocacy
Tillie Black Bear, a Sicangu Lakota woman, was a trailblazer in addressing domestic violence within Native American communities. She founded the White Buffalo Calf Woman Society in 1978, the first shelter on a Native American reservation, to provide support for Indigenous survivors of domestic violence. Black Bear’s advocacy led to groundbreaking policy changes, including stronger protections for Native women under the VAWA in 1994.
Black Bear famously stated, “When Native women are abused, it is not just a women’s issue. It is a community issue, a family issue, and a tribal issue.” Her leadership at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence played a key role in shaping national conversations about culturally-specific advocacy. (National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, 2014).
(Image: The Smithsonian Magazine)
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) – Legal Trailblazer for Women’s Rights and Domestic Violence Protections
Though best known for her work as a Supreme Court Justice and champion of gender equality, Ruth Bader Ginsburg made significant contributions to domestic violence protections. As a lawyer, she co-founded the ACLU Women’s Rights Project, fighting against laws that discriminated based on gender. Her legal battles helped establish critical precedents that protected survivors of domestic violence, ensuring they had equal access to housing, employment, and legal recourse.
On the Supreme Court, Ginsburg’s opinions and dissents reinforced the importance of legal protections for survivors, from restraining orders to workplace protections. She understood that gender-based violence was not just a women’s issue but a broader societal one, deeply intertwined with economic justice and civil rights. Her legacy continues to shape the legal landscape for survivors today (ACLU, 2020).
(Image: The New York Times)
Honoring the Legacy of These Women
The work of these women reminds us that domestic violence isn’t just a private issue—it’s a systemic one that a change amongst many systems. Through policy reform, creating resources, and addressing the root causes, these pioneers have changed the way we support and provide services to survivors today.
By recognizing their contributions, we ensure that their work continues. The work isn’t over, join RESPOND in supporting survivors and continuing the mission of ending domestic violence.
Sources:
- (2020). Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Her Legacy of Women’s Rights. Retrieved from www.aclu.org
- Futures Without Violence. (2021). Esta Soler and the Passage of the Violence Against Women Act. Retrieved from futureswithoutviolence.org
- National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. (2014). Tillie Black Bear: A Legacy of Advocacy for Native Women. Retrieved from niwrc.org
