First Lady Katie O'Malley Delivers Speech at House of Ruth Luncheon

Honors Sis Decker and Those Who Led the Way in the Fight Against Domestic Violence

 

BALTIMORE, MD (January 8, 2009) -First Lady Katie O'Malley today spoke at the 95th birthday celebration honoring Marion P. Decker organized by House of Ruth Maryland. Sis Decker helped found the House of Ruth Maryland thirty years ago, and the luncheon honored Ms. Decker's years of leadership and service to the House of Ruth Maryland, and her commitment to assisting the victims of domestic violence.

"It is an honor to be here today to celebrate the 95th birthday of Sis Decker and to celebrate her leadership and service to the House of Ruth Maryland," said First Lady Katie O'Malley. "Sis Decker has been a steadfast advocate for victims of domestic violence. As a former prosecutor and current judge, I have seen first hand the detrimental effects of family violence. Working together with leaders like Ms. Decker, and the men and women who run organizations like the House of Ruth, we can help provide the courage, safety and resources to help save many more lives."

First Lady Katie O'Malley is a long time activist in the fight to end domestic violence. She has participated in several House of Ruth functions, most recently "A Line in the Sand" - a display of interpretive portraits featuring the First Lady as one of 20 subjects who have made a significant impact in the fight against domestic violence.

Governor Martin O'Malley is equally committed to stopping the threat of domestic violence, and the O'Malley-Brown administration has made the awareness and prevention of domestic violence a top priority this session. Last year, Governor O'Malley announced the appointments of 21 members to the Family Violence Council, a Council that was created by Executive Order in 2006, but no formal appointments were made until January of 2008. Under the new Executive Order, the Council's membership increased from 21 to 25.

In October of 2008, Governor O'Malley declared October "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" and announced that the State of Maryland received $1.8 million in federal STOP Violence Against Women (VAWA) funding. The Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention allocated the funds to 63 organizations/agencies statewide to develop and strengthen victim-centered law enforcement, prosecution, and court strategies to combat violent crimes against women and to develop and enhance victim services that address violence against women.

House Of Ruth Maryland is a non-profit organization that provides the most comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence in the state of Maryland. House Of Ruth Maryland leads the fight to end domestic violence against women and their children by confronting attitudes, behaviors and systems that perpetuate it, and by providing victims with the services necessary to rebuild their lives safely and free of fear. Since its founding in 1977, House Of Ruth Maryland has helped more than 100,000 victims through its shelter, 24-hour hotline, counseling, outreach, training and legal services.

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