VSC celebrates founders during Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month is a celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and a call to action to continue the fight for women’s equality. We celebrate VSC’s founding mothers this month.

Our Origin Story

Forty-seven years ago, 5 visionary women had the courage to help women and girls suffering from the trauma of sexual violence. They noticed that no comprehensive, single response existed for victims of sexual assault. Together, they founded Montgomery County Women Against Rape to provide a sensitive, uniform response to victims of sexual assault.

We recognize VSC’s founding mothers, whose dedication built a life-saving community resource:

Madeline (Matty) Muir

Margaret (Mahon) Depiera

Deborah Kish (Silver)

Marein Pantizzi

Ruellen Booher

VSC’s Expansion

After a decade as Montgomery County Women Against Rape, staffed by volunteers and equipped with limited resources, the organization expanded in into a comprehensive crime victim agency and changed its name to Victim Services Center of Montgomery County. Now, VSC serves survivors of all crimes, their family members, and friends impacted by victimization of their loved ones.

Join VSC in celebrating and honoring women and standing up against violence.

Ways to honor VSC’s founding mothers

• Make a gift to VSC today. All donations are welcome and tax-deductible.

• Hang one of our signs in your school, place of business, or community bulletin board. (Contact us for a sign.)

• Add VSC’s crisis hotline to your contacts so that you can share our information when someone discloses trauma to you: 888.521.0983.

• Follow VSC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

• If you are a parent or work with kids, invite a VSC educator to visit your school or workplace to talk about healthy relationships, consent, and how to ask for help.