Mary Zelinka: Celebrating 20 years of Advocacy Service with CARDV.

22 June 2010 | 10:16 am

Congratulations to Mary Zelinka on her 20^th anniversary with the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV)!

Mary Zelinka joined the grassroots movement to end sexual and domestic violence as a volunteer in 1980 with the Rape Crisis Center. A year later, she

was on hand when the RapeCrisis Center merged with the Linn-Benton Association for the Prevention of Domestic Violence to create CARDV. In 1990, wanting to make advocacy for adult and child survivors a bigger part of her life, Mary became a staff member at CARDV.

At CARDV’s 25^th Anniversary celebration in 2007, CARDV honored Mary’s service by creating the Mary Zelinka Advocate for Social Justice Award. Recipients of this award demonstrate continued participation in social change by advocating for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Almost exactly to the day of her 20^th anniversary with CARDV, Mary’s latest essay, “Grooming” was published in the collection, The Journey of Healing: Wisdom from Survivors of Sexual Abuse (The Safer Society Press)--click here to purchase. To celebrate both her anniversary and her latest published essay, CARDV Staff, Volunteers and Board held a book release party where Mary shared her story and her passion for the work she does with CARDV.

Mary opening gifts at her anniversary party-June 2010.

Thank you Mary, for all your years of service. You are an inspiration to advocates and a joy to be around.

The CARDV staff at Mary's 20th Anniversary celebration--June 2010.

Mary Zelinka: Celebrating 20 years of Advocacy Service with CARDV.

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