During its 15 years, the innovative and dedicated work of the Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition has, by all accounts, affected positive change for women across the region.
Believing it has fulfilled its education and advocacy mission, the nonprofit recently announced it’s time to end the undertaking it began in 2008, certain that others will continue its efforts.
“Hundreds of individuals and organizations said yes, to speaking with one voice about the need for systemic reforms,” said Ifeoma Aduba, BCWACA’s executive director, in a statement she called a “Love Letter.”
“Today, as we close our doors, we celebrate the great successes, the great advocacy that we know will long continue and the great advocates who go forth with a fire to their spirits that will not be extinguished,” wrote Aduba.
Founded by Nancy Morrill, Tam St. Claire and Kathy Beveridge, the coalition has been a progressive voice, speaking out on issues such as gender equity, economic security and creating a more “socially just and respectful society.”
Among its efforts, BCWAC initiated “Conversations with Legislators,” which offered the public an opportunity engage with Bucks County’s lawmakers from both parties around a wide range of subjects, including the state’s minimum wage, child care, equal pay and racial justice.
Coalition members and others also traveled to Harrisburg to meet legislators and advocate for victims of abuse, commonsense gun legislation, reproductive rights, living wages, freedom of thought in schools and equitable democracy.
St. Claire, who served as BCWAC’s president for several years, said “preparing ‘newbies’ who had never advocated before…learn how to respectfully dialogue with them (legislators) on issues that are real, personal and human was my biggest highlight.”
“It was the spark in their eye and voice that signaled they would be lifelong advocates and participants in our democracy ‘of, by, and for the people,’” said, St. Claire.
Aduba also said seeing the impact of BCWAC was moving. “It has been amazing to witness the advocacy inspired, encouraged and nurtured by the BCWAC,” she said in an email.
As BCWAC wraps up, the Love Letter said, “We do so knowing that we are leaving things better than we found them. We brought organizations and individuals together, supported each other in finding and lifting up our voices, and committed to speaking with one voice.”
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