Safehouse Benefit Luncheon May 17, 2022

What a humbling experience to attend the Safehouse Benefit Luncheon. Sitting there with others in remembrance of victims of domestic abuse, it was a packed room with several elected officials, Safehouse staff and board members, and supporters.

The keynote address was by Senator Tara Nethercott. There were several statements in her address that stuck with me, “There is no place for domestic violence in our community” and “You, we, us together”. The Senator spoke about Esther Hobart Morris, the first woman to serve as Justice of the Peace in the United States, being appointed justice of South Pass City, Wyoming! She was active in the Women’s Suffrage Movement. As Senator Nethercott pointed out, that is what we all know about Esther, but did we know she too was abused by her husband? She was and she had her husband arrested for assault and battery. This was around the year of 1870! What an interesting woman.

Several people attending the luncheon today read a story about 12 of the domestic violence victims. I read Brandy Jo Imhoff’s story. She was only 5 years old and was murdered when she intervened in a physical altercation between her mother and her mother’s boyfriend. Like all the other stories, it is a sad situation. Safehouse is available, 24/7, to victims of domestic abuse (men and women). All they have to do is call. Safehouse’s hotline number is 307-637-7233.

As you can see, domestic violence dates back a long time but organizations such as Safehouse are working around the clock to end domestic violence. If you are a victim, please call Safehouse to get you on the road to a better life.

https://www.wyomingsafehouse.org/

https://www.nps.gov/people/esther-hobart-morris.htm