History

Women's Voices was formally organized in May, 2005, when 25 St. Louis-area women gathered at the University City Library to discuss their concerns about social justice issues. Within six months more than 150 women had added their names to the mailing list. Progressive women of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to join the organization.

In July, 2005, the first general meeting was held. In November, 2005, the group moved to the Alberici Group headquarters, one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the world. Alberici hosted our meetings until we grew too large for that space. We now meet at the St. Louis Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road.

What We Do

Women's Voices is both an educational and advocacy organization. Our regular monthly meetings are educational; our program committee selects a variety of knowledgable speakers to provide background information on social justice issues that concern us. Members of our advocacy committee will select two or three specific issues that we will work on as a group each year. Some of our activities include writing letters or commentaries, attending meetings, disseminating information, public speaking, marching, witnessing and lobbying. Women's Voices almost always works with other social justice organizations to support and enhance their efforts. Check out our Recent Activities.

Our educational programs are held on the second Thursday of each month, September through May, at 7 p.m. at the Ethical Society. Programs are open to the public, free of charge, and guests are welcome. Check out our Recent Programs.

Leadership

Board of Directors

Officers
Mary Clemons President	Barb Richter Vice President	Judy Arnold Secretary	Mary Ann Tipton Treasurer
Elected Directors
Barbara Finch	Susan Hayman	Jeanne Bubb	Helen Houlle
Ex Officio	Appointed Directors
Joanne Kelly Past President	Jane Cocalis

Other Appointments

Program Committee	Membership Committee	Advocacy Committee
Barbara Finch	Helen Houlle	Jeanne Bubb Chair	Ruth Ann Cioci Vice Chair
Hospitality	Newsletter	Website
To Be Determined	Bethany Sage Curtis	Chery Green

Currently Serving

Judy Arnold is a freelance communications consultant who has been an editor of a national journal for health care administrators and a teacher. She has previously served on the Women's Voices board and the board of the Friends of the Kirkwood Public Library.

Jeanne Bubb retired from St. Louis Children's Hospital as the Director of Social Work. Jeanne also counseled families dealing with childhood diabetes and was involved in many diabetes research projects during her 17 years at the hospital. Following retirement, she taught a health class at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University. Jeanne, along with all of us, hopes for the day when all Americans have access to quality health care.

Mary Clemons is a retired church administrator. She managed the church finances and oversaw fundraising activities. Mary has been the Treasurer for Women's Voices the last four years.

Chery Green is a retired information systems consultant who volunteers her services in software consulting and web development to organizations with which she is involved. She currently serves as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Ethical Society of St. Louis.

Susan Hayman is the former director of the Literacy Council of Greater St. Louis and is semi-retired from the Kirkwood School District.

Helen Houlle spent her professional career as an educator of the deaf and hearing impaired. She is proficient in American Sign Language and has taught in Total Communication Programs in Australia and Kentucky as well as in the Special School District in St. Louis County. She is also a licensed massage therapist and an active volunteer with the St. Louis County Older Resident Program.

Barbara Richter recently sold a manufacturing company which she ran with her husband for 25 years. She teaches management/supervision at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University, is involved with several not-for-profits and has served on several Boards of Directors.

Mary Ann Tipton returned to St. Louis from nearly twenty years on the East Coast. After a career in retirement planning, Mary Ann is volunteering with several charitable organizations. She's an ardent urban dweller living in the Central West End.

Past Leaders

Lois Bliss has 44 years of experience as a volunteer and activist on a broad range of issues. She has been elected to office four times.

Cindy Bumb (Rev. Cynthia S. Bumb) is the Pastor of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ. She is a wife and mother, and is involved in several community organizations including Doorways, the Missouri Family Health Council, and Union Communion Ministries.

Linda Carey is a former member of the Up With People organization. She traveled five and half years domestically and internationally and spent a majority of that time doing advance work, public relations, and fundraising. Trained as an executive secretary and worked for a lawyer, architect, CPA, and a real estate developer at different times. Volunteered with multiple organizations and boards connected with her children's education and her church. Established her own business for five years as a professional organizer helping individuals in their homes and offices and also contracted with a real estate developer to set up and run his selections department.

Jane Cocalis holds a doctorate in English and teaches at Webster University. She has recently retired from grant writing and administration but remains a charter member of the American Association of Grant Professionals--St. Louis Region. Formerly a section editor at The Western Journal of Medicine, she concurrently served as director of Scientific and Educational Activities at the California Medical Association.

Elitta DeArmond, after being a stay-at-home mom for twelve years, went on to complete twenty-seven years in a teaching career, seventeen years of which were with Lindbergh School District in St. Louis. Also while being a classroom teacher, she started and was director for the OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program for Lindbergh District for seventeen years. Now retired, she is involved with book clubs, a sorority alum group, Eliot Unitarian Chapel, and several women's groups.

Judy Evans is a former director of Sylvan Learning Center.She works with her husband as a realtor for Prudential Advantage and volunteers at the Missouri Botannical Garden as a master gardener.

Shelly Lemons is an assistant professor of history at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois. She works to promote social justice both in and out of the classroom.

Judy Martin Finch is the Associate Director for Media Relations at Washington University School of Medicine. She moved to Missouri from her native Kentucky in 1983 to attend college in Fulton, MO. She spent several years working as in radio, as a producer and marketing director, and then turned to producing medical documentaries for St. Charles based Banyan Communications. She has been active in the community for the past 20 years, most recently working as a volunteer with Paraquad, Inc. helping with the Assistive Technology Fair.

Ann Ross founded, owned and operated three Paper Warehouse party supply stores in St. Louis for more than 20 years. She has served as a consultant to numerous start-up and ongoing businesses, especially women-owned businesses. She is a member of a number of business organizations and has a long track record of public policy involvement. She currently works as a food pantry volunteer.

Alice Serrano holds masters degrees in education and biology and teaches environmental science courses at Webster University. She volunteers for Stream Team of Missouri, collecting data and monitoring the health of Missouri streams.

Beth von Behren has a background in nonprofit communications, freelance writing for the Post-Dispatch and other publications, and freelance grant writing for small, local nonprofits. In addition to keeping an eye on the media, her interests include advocating for children, abolishing the death penalty, and protecting the environment.

Bev White is a retired health care professional who found Women's Voices during a quest for active progressive women. She serves on the board of The Barnes-Jewish Hospital Auxiliary, ran for State Representative in 2006, and serves on the EMPAC board of the National Women's Political Caucus, St Louis.