Women’s Center Celebrates The Start Of A Banner Year

DANBURY — Thirty years ago, a small group of women gathered together to talk and to share experiences. They never imagined, in the beginning, how many people and organizations in Danbury and the surrounding towns would turn to them for help.

In 1975, there were no local hotlines for domestic violence or sexual assault. There was no area shelter for women and children fleeing abuse at home. As the center’s earliest members began to answer calls for help, the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury began its long evolution into the social service agency that, last year, provided crisis services and community education to more than 19,000 women, men, and children in our region.

On April 29, Newtown First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal joined a group of elected officials, community leaders, and other friends of the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury at 2 West Street to unfurl a special anniversary banner in recognition of 30 years of service to the communities the women’s center serves.

Other special invited guests who participated in the Women’s Center 30th Anniversary kickoff celebration included Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, Redding First Selectman Natalie Ketcham, Bethel First Selectman Alice Hutchison, State Representatives Lewis Wallace (D-Danbury, 109th) and Hank Bielawa (R-Redding, 2nd), and Connecticut Public Health Deputy Commissioner Norma Gyle.                 Additionally, the Women’s Center was represented during the celebration by Executive Director Patricia Zachman, Vice President Bridgette Shaffer, Founding Mothers Alice Chapman and Bedtti Corso, Advisory Council member Beth Ann Fetzer, Board member David Bluestein, and members Gina O’Connell, LouAnna O’Connell, Nicholas O’Connell, and Max Shaffer,

The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury provides free and confidential services to prevent or lessen the trauma associated with domestic violence, sexual assault, and other major life transitions to thousands of women, children, and men annually. The programs of the Women’s Center are supported by state and local government, area United Way agencies, and the people and businesses in the communities it serves including Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, Kent, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Sherman, Warren, and Washington. For information, 731-5200.