As the women crocheted and knitted Pussyhats and other items, they discussed ways to advocate for women’s equality. In the back of the room, others made phone calls to legislators to express the need to fight against domestic violence.
Middle Way House’s “Knit One, Call Too” event Wednesday was both a celebration of International Women’s Day and a way to honor Toby Strout, who was the executive director of the organization for 30 years. Strout died Feb. 27.
Participants were encouraged to make calls and write to their senators and representatives to discuss the importance of renewing the Violence Against Women Act, which provides grants to Middle Way House and other organizations dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence. Participants also learned to knit or crochet to contribute to the Wrapped in Love project, which makes tree wraps that are displayed downtown. The project is part of an annual fundraiser for Middle Way House.
Middle Way House executive director Debra Morrow said she wanted people to show their support for VAWA because without the act the organization would not have the funding to provide its services. This event is also a way to honor Strout’s life of activism, Morrow said.
“With it being International Women’s Day, what better way to honor her than to come and support something she believed in so strongly,” Morrow said.
Rachel Guglielmo, who volunteers with the Bloomington chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, made a call to the office of Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, R-9th District, to discuss the importance of VAWA.
“We want to urge Representative Hollingsworth to vote in favor of renewing the Violence Against Women Act,” Guglielmo said as she ended her call.
She said she is concerned with how guns are connected to violence against women.
“Despite the NRA line that women in situations of domestic violence should try to protect themselves by buying a gun, women who own guns are much more likely to see guns used against them instead of in self defense,” she said.
International Women’s Day is a way for people to become politically engaged, even if they do not take the day off work for the “A Day Without A Woman” protest, Guglielmo said. They can still make a phone call to politicans, have a conversation with community members and know they are not alone in their concerns, she said.
“It’s important for all of us to engage in advocating for the laws and policies we want to see,” she said. “We can’t just assume they are going to happen without us. We’re the ones who make them happen.”
Kelly Kish, who is a Middle Way House board member, said the organization wants to continue following Strout’s example.
“If she had been here today, she would have been the loudest voice,” she said. “We want to keep her voice loud.”
Anna Strout, who is Toby Strout’s daughter, said the event is reminder of her mother’s work in fighting against domestic violence.
She said it is important to bring the community together to build momentum and continue to move forward in advocating for women’s issues and social justice.
“Toby Strout, my beloved mother and community heroine, would always say these are community issues, and we have a responsibility to treat them as such,” she said.
Nowana Schroeder is a feminist because young women should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies. https://t.co/EOe3awWmHU pic.twitter.com/QnCfH590f8
— IndianaDailyStudent (@idsnews) March 9, 2017
