Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott

In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, founder of the women’s movement, took up the cause of equality for women.  She made preventing domestic violence her top priority.  To this end, she and Lucretia Mott presented their Declaration of Sentiments which edited Thomas Jefferson’s words:    

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.    

Sadly, preventing violence against women and children never caught on with their followers.  Today, Terry O’Neill, a domestic violence survivor, is the head of NOW.  She tried to make domestic violence a priority.  Again, the women’s movement shut her down.    

Gloria Steinem

Feminist Gloria Steinem, who founded Ms. Magazine, is infamous for her everyday rebellions and outrageous acts in the cause of simple justice.  She is a survivor of child abuse.  She was inspired by Louisa May Alcott, who is another survivor of child abuse.    

Launching the Survivors’ Network:  Silent No More!    

Before I have my traditional 4th of July bar-b-que, I’m taking a moment to do something revolutionary.  In the spirit of the holiday, I think it is time to yank some doodle.   

I believe that all men AND women are created equal.  I believe we all have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  I believe we were all endowed with this right by our Creator.    

Yet, I know that the world is full of narcissistic tyrants hell bent on making our lives miserable.    

Declare Your Indpendence from Domestic Tyranny!    

When the bombs burst in the air tonight, I hope every survivor of domestic tyranny will declare our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  We need to take back our power ~ declare ourselves queens and kings with the right to control our own destinies.    

There are four times more women who have survived domestic violence than have survived breast cancer.  I think it is time for us to have our own survivor’s club.  And, I think we should invite everyone to join us who has survived domestic violence in all it’s guises:   child abuse and neglect, incest, sexual molestation, date rape and abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and spousal abuse.  I’d love for those courageous souls who have steadfastly protected us to join us.    

From sea to shining sea, I hope that every survivor of domestic violence will celebrate our liberty and right to be free of domestic tyranny.    

“Silent No More!” is our motto.  I want to thank my Kiwi (New Zealand) friend Mary for this idea.  And, I want to thank Waverly Fitzgerald for the idea of a Survivors’ Network.  Today, I’m launching a new page where visitors to this site can join the Survivors’ Network.  There will be no meetings or dues or membership fees.  The only thing I ask is that you take the pledge to be “Silent No More!” and network with other survivors to kick the ass of a system that doesn’t serve us.    

We all were created with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.