Women's Voices was formally organized in May, 2005, when 25 St. Louis-area women gathered at the University City Library to discuss their concerns about social justice issues. Within six months more than 150 women had added their names to the mailing list. Progressive women of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to join the organization.
In July, 2005, the first general meeting was held. In November, 2005, the group moved to the Alberici Group headquarters, one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the world. Alberici hosted our meetings until we grew too large for that space. We now meet at the St. Louis Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road.
As members identify issues of social justice that are of particular concern to them, focus groups are created to work on these issues. Focus groups thoroughly research the issues, gathering facts, identifying key players, and contacting existing organizations that are already working in the area. The group then creates a list of possible actions through which members of the entire group can be pro-active. Some of these actions include writing letters or commentaries, attending meetings, disseminating information, public speaking, marching, witnessing and lobbying. Women's Voices almost always works with existing social justice organizations to support and enhance their efforts. Check out our Recent Activities.
We meet in general session on the second Thursday of each month. Check out our Recent Programs.
"Well-behaved women rarely make history." ... Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Leadership
Following are the elected and appointed leaders for the 2007-08 fiscal year.
See below for individual bios.
Board of Directors
President
Barbara L. Finch
Vice President
Jeanne Bubb
Secretary
Joanne Kelly
Treasurer
Mary Clemons
Directors
Judy Arnold, Judy Evans, Chery Green, Mary Ann Tipton, Bev White
Focus Group Chairs
Environment
Alice Serrano
Health Care
Barbara Richter
Media Watchdogs
Beth von Behren
Other Positions
Program Committee Co-Chairs
Judy Martin Finch, Shelly Lemons
Newsletter Editor
Judy Arnold
Webmaster
Chery Green
Public Relations
Laurie Bergman, Judy Martin Finch
Hospitality
Jean Ann Funk, Nancy Reeves
FoundersBarbara Finch is a former hospital vice president and public relations practitioner who owned and operated a communications consulting firm for 11 years. She taught creative writing for three years for Springboard to Learning and is a member of the Institutional Review Board at Washington University School of Medicine.
Joanne Kelly is a retired St. Louis County educator with experience in elementary and middle school teaching, counseling and administration. Children are her passion, with social justice for all people is an ancillary part of that passion.
Ann Ruger has worked with several St. Louis-based child advocacy organizations as project director, grant writer and editor. During a recent stint in Carbondale, Illinois, she worked as a contributing writer for the Southern Illinois University magazine and led a successful effort by her Unitarian congregation to build a new church.
Ruth Ann Cioci is retired from Laura McCarthy Realtors, where she was manager of the Kirkwood office, vice president, and was responsible for writing and designing most of the firm's promotional materials.
Judy Arnold is a freelance communications consultant who has been an editor of a health journal and a teacher. She serves on the board of the Friends of the Kirkwood Public Library.
Mary Clemons is a retired church administrator. She managed the church finances and oversaw fundraising activities.
Judy Evans is a former director of Sylvan Learning Center.She works with her husband as a realtor for Prudential Advantage and volunteers at the Missouri Botannical Garden as a master gardner.
Chery Green is a retired information systems consultant who volunteers her services in software consulting and web development to organizations with which she is involved.
Barbara Richter recently sold a manufacturing company which she ran with her husband for 25 years. She teaches management/supervision at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University, is involved with several not-for-profits and has served on several Boards of Directors.
Mary Ann Tipton recently returned to St. Louis from nearly twenty years on the East Coast. After a career in retirement planning, Mary Ann is volunteering with several charitable organizations while considering other career options.
"You are not obliged to complete the task. However, you are not allowed to step away from it either." ... Pirke Avot, Sayings of the Fathers, ancient Hebrew text