Sheila Wellstone Institute

Photo by Steve Rhodes

Many might think that when women are facing the life-or-death issue of domestic violence, grassroots organizing would be the furthest thing from their minds. However, the Sheila Wellstone Institute has trained hundreds of survivors to raise their voice and advocate for changes to policies that impact their lives. Our graduates are organizing to protect their families and ensure that all of us have safe, supportive communities.

Take Vernetta - a graduate of Camp Sheila Wellstone from North Carolina. Vernetta experienced years of stalking and terror from her estranged husband until he finally murdered Vernetta's daughter and attacked Vernetta viciously, believing he had killed her, too. He didn't suddenly "snap" -- he had made threats to kill Vernetta and her children for years. Vernetta had used the system to obtain an order for protection and lived across the street from a police station - but "the system" didn't protect her.

Now, Vernetta is organizing to change the domestic violence laws so that her story doesn't become someone else's.

This is just one heartbreaking experience from hundreds of women who've participated in Camp Sheila Wellstone - individuals and organizations making domestic violence a public health issue and ensuring that every member of the community can take action to end this violence.

Thank you for your support, which will give survivors the skills to advocate for meaningful change, for themselves, for their children, and for all of us.