Honoring Women Who Lead Change: Women’s History Month at Harbor House

Every March, Women’s History Month invites us to reflect on the women who have shaped our communities, challenged injustice, and expanded what safety, dignity, and opportunity can look like for everyone. At Harbor House Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs, this month is deeply personal. Our mission, our history, and our daily work are rooted in the courage, leadership, and resilience of women.

Built by Women, Sustained by Community

Harbor House was founded on the belief that everyone deserves to live free from violence—and that belief was carried forward by women who saw a need and refused to look away. From advocates and counselors to administrators, volunteers, and board leaders, women have been at the heart of Harbor House for decades. They built systems of care when few existed, spoke openly about issues once kept silent, and insisted that survivors be met with compassion rather than judgment.

Women’s leadership at Harbor House has never been about recognition alone. It has been about action: answering crisis calls in the middle of the night, sitting with survivors as they navigate impossible choices, and advocating for policies and practices that prioritize survivor safety and autonomy.

The Women We Serve

Women’s History Month is also a time to honor the strength of the women we serve. Survivors of domestic and sexual violence are not defined by what happened to them, they are defined by their resilience, their courage, and their determination to reclaim their lives.

Every day at Harbor House, we witness women doing extraordinary things: choosing safety for themselves and their children, returning to school or work after trauma, learning to trust again, and discovering their own power. These moments—often quiet, often unseen—are acts of leadership in their own right.

We recognize that women experience violence differently depending on their identities and circumstances. Survivors may face additional barriers related to disability, immigration status, race, age, income, or where they live. Honoring women’s history means acknowledging these realities and continuing to build services that are accessible, inclusive, and survivor-centered.

Advocacy Then and Now

The women’s movement has long been intertwined with the movement to end gender-based violence. From early advocates who pushed for legal recognition of domestic violence to today’s leaders working at the intersections of housing, healthcare, and justice, women have driven change by insisting that violence is not inevitable, and that systems must do better.

At Harbor House, advocacy remains a cornerstone of our work. Our advocates support survivors in navigating legal systems, accessing medical care, and understanding their options. Our prevention educators work with young people to build healthy relationships and challenge harmful norms before violence begins. And our leadership continues to raise awareness, influence policy, and collaborate with partners across our region.

Women’s History Month reminds us that progress is not accidental. It is the result of people speaking up, organizing, and showing up for one another.

Looking Forward

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we also look ahead. There is still work to do to ensure that every survivor has access to safety, support, and justice. We remain committed to listening to survivors, learning from their experiences, and evolving our programs to meet the needs of our community.

We are grateful to the women who came before us, the women leading today, and the women who will shape the future of this work. Their voices, stories, and leadership continue to guide Harbor House forward.