Doylestown Borough Council

57 W. State St.

Doylestown, PA 18901 

Dear Members of Borough Council, 

A Woman’s Place, the only domestic violence organization serving all of Bucks County, is in support of the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance and formation of a Human Relations Commission, ( HRC Ordinance ) which you have scheduled for a final vote on 8/16/10.  I have followed this initiative through the local papers, and I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting this ordinance in your discussions and votes to date. 

Much of the violence that we see at A Woman’s Place is based on the flawed belief that one gender has an inherent superiority over the other and therefore the right to dominate.  Our mission is based on the legacy left to us by the abolitionist movement in the 1800’s, the civil rights movement of the 1950’s and 60’s, the anti-rape movement of the 60’s and 70’s and the women’s rights movement of the 1840’s and 1970’s.  All of these movements mobilized to advance the core belief that no group has an inherent right to dominate and constrict the lives of another.  We realize that all oppressions are connected.  Therefore, we have the obligation to work towards the rights of all.   

In the words of Audre Lorde: 

                “I know that my people cannot possibly profit from the oppression of

                any other group which seeks the right to peaceful existence.  I cannot

                afford to believe that freedom from intolerance is the right of only one

                particular group.  And I cannot afford to choose between the fronts

                upon which I must battle these forces of discrimination, wherever they

                appear to destroy me.  And when they appear to destroy me, it will not

                be long before they appear to destroy you.” 

In the spirit of the principles expressed above and having the opportunity and power to act locally in eliminating this area of discrimination, I’m asking for your continued support and your vote of “Yes” on Monday, August 16, 2010. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration. 

Donna J. Byrne

Executive Director of A Woman’s Place 

_______________________________________________________________________

Mission Statement: 

A Woman’s Place is a feminist, community-based social change organization committed to ending intimate and familial violence for all.

We do this by:

1) Enhancing safety for victims, families, and communities;

2) Securing justice for victims;

3) Engaging the community and building its capacity to respond to and prevent domestic abuse and violence;  and,

 4) Working to change institutions, systems, and individual practices that condone and perpetuate violence and abuse