Thirty years ago, the women of the Rolla Chapter of NOW put before the voters of Phelps County a measure to fund efforts to support women in domestic violence situations. This was ten years before the founding of Russell House, and the people of Phelps County agreed that this was the right thing to do. Because of these women, lives have been changed, lives have been saved, and Phelps County is a better place to live.

March 31st, we honored these women and said thank you. The poem being read by the four volunteers below is “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou. We hope you know that we value you for the phenomenal women you are.

Photos by Travis Ferrell