Reflecting on Forty Years of Serving the Community: Women’s Rights Information Center in Englewood Celebrates Anniversary

It’s been said that every journey begins with a single step. Through my work for Women’s Rights Information Center I see brave women, every day, taking those first steps on a journey towards a better life.  And I am proud to report that there have been thousands of first steps leading to this moment, our fortieth anniversary year.

Located on West  Palisade Avenue in Englewood, the Center was founded  in the spring of 1973 by Phoebe Seham, Esq.  As a lawyer, Phoebe knows the power of reliable information – knowing one’s rights, where to turn in times of crisis, what resources are available, like professional training.  Her vision for the Center was to create a clearinghouse for reliable information.  A safe place where women who need to become self-sufficient could learn to face their challenges and achieve economic independence – for themselves and their children.

In the past year alone, the Center has served over 775 women –offering them services that promote self-sufficiency like computer technology training, alternative housing options, E.S.L classes and Citizenship preparation instruction, career related workshops, legal consultations, peer counseling and more. 

We are celebrating our fortieth anniversary milestone on May 8th with a special fundraising event. But when you work with women who discover, through knowledge, their own power, you can’t help but celebrate every day.  These women, our clients, are truly inspiring.

When I talk about the Center I spend a great deal of time talking about our clients, but I would be remiss if I didn’t address the other inspiring people that walk through our Center’s doors – our amazing volunteers and staff.  Good, good, people, giving of themselves, sharing their expertise, or offering kind words… to strangers. For without them, we could not do the work we do. I want to express my sincerest thanks to all of the generous staff members and volunteers who have donated time and resources to help women in our community through a priceless commitment to the Center. You have made, and continue to make, a difference.

I joined the Center in 1983 and someone recently asked me if there was one moment, a particular story that stands out in my thirty year tenure. Of course there are many.  One I remembered very vividly.

A young non-English speaking mother was accompanied to court to ensure that her four year old daughter was safe from an abusive father.  With support and guidance, the mother successfully gained custody of her child. For six years following the event, the daughter called the staffer to wish her a happy mother’s day.  The daughter is graduating from college this May. 

More recently, one of our counselors, getting ready to leave for the day, was met at the door of the Center by a woman who had been sleeping in her car with her children because there was no room in any of the shelters.  This staffer contacted and coordinated arrangements with another agency, picked up her own children, and did not stop until a hotel room and money to pay for it was found  for this homeless family.  She solved their immediate problem and guided her to the resources to help them longer term.

Our volunteers serve as that friendly first point of contact at the door or on the phone – a smile, a caring person to listen. Our amazing staff members call legislators, write letters, and advocate for clients who can’t effectively express themselves.  They have purchased groceries for families that have depleted food stamp allotments.  They have driven abused women to shelters and made sure they knew their rights. They raise awareness and money to help keep our Center alive and the mission going strong.

For every story I could relate there are hundreds more that I don’t know about.  Our staffers, our volunteers, and our clients, “pay it forward” on a regular basis – acts done out of love, gratitude, and the inspiration we receive when a life has been changed for good.

Here is to another forty years of moving futures forward!

Joan Grzenda is the Executive Director for the Women’s Rights Information Center in Englewood, New Jersey. She has been with the Center since 1983. The Center is celebrating its 40^thanniversary with a special spring fundraising event at the Clinton Inn in Tenafly on May 8th. Tickets and information atwww.womensrights.org or  201 568-1166.