To all of our readers- welcome to feminists without borders! I have no idea what this beautiful brain child might turn into, but I thought I might start out on a positive note. I got some great news today from V-day. For those of you who have been living under a chauvinist rock V-day is Eve Ensler's organization started to bring about an end. An end to violence against women!
I have attached an excerpt from the news clipping celebrating the Kentucky governor's pardon of 13 women who were convicted for crimes of self-defense against their attackers. It took the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association eight years to finally free these women, but they did it!
Read below:
The Kentucky Domestic Violence Association is proud to announce a victory for 2007 for incarcerated victims of domestic violence. In August 2007, KDVA was chosen as a pilot state for the V-Day's Until the Violence Stops: KY Festival to end violence against women and girls. During the festival, it is believed that over 1 million individuals across the state were exposed to the message that violence against women and girls can end. As part of the festival, an entire day was dedicated to victims of domestic violence who are incarcerated for defending their lives and in some cases the lives of their children from their abusers.
For 8 years KDVA has been advocating for the release of several incarcerated women who were serving time for killing their abusers. In 2003, KDVA and the Department of Public Advocacy petitioned outgoing Governor Paul Patton for the pardons of 13 women. These requests were never reviewed and several of the women remained behind bars. In spite of the disappointment, KDVA has continued to give support to the remaining women, as well as identify other women who are incarcerated under the same circumstances.
On November 19, 2007, KDVA and the Department of Public Advocacy reissued pardon petitions for the remaining women. On December 10, 2007, justice finally emerged as Governor Ernie Fletcher granted commutations of sentences and full pardons for over 17 women. Additionally, he gave an executive order for 4 of the other women to appear before the Kentucky parole board for a chance for early parole. Included in the full pardons were a group of survivors who received commutations of their sentences in 1996 from then Governor Brereton Jones.
Through the hard work of incarcerated survivors, advocates and attorneys over the last 11 years and the combined efforts of the 2007 V-Day Until the Violence Stops: KY Festival a difference has been made in the lives of domestic violence victims in Kentucky. Because of this victory in Kentucky, hope has been restored and we move one step closer to seeing an end to violence against women and girls and justice for those who have been denied.
- V-day December 13, 2007Let's celebrate!
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