Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
94% Teens who experience dating violence at such an impressionable age struggle in all areas of their life as a result. According to the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Systems (YRBSS) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, 8% of high school students surveyed had experienced physical violence by someone they were dating and nearly 10% of students had experienced sexual violence, including non-consensual sex.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Among female victims of intimate partner violence, 94% of those age 16-19 and 70% of those age 20-24 were victimized by a current or former boyfriend or girlfriend.
- Violent behavior typically begins between the ages of 12 and 18.
- Girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence — almost triple the national average.
- The severity of intimate partner violence is often greater in cases where the pattern of abuse was established in adolescence.
Learn more here.
Black History Month
In honor of the pride and excellence of unsung contributors and heroes in the black community, we want to highlight a few African American women who have added greatly to the history of the USA, specifically in the law, medical, and social work professions:
- Mary Eliza Mahoney, first African American licensed nurse: born in 1845 in Boston, MA Mahoney eventually worked at the New England Hospital for Women and Children and pursued nursing. As an active participant in the nursing profession she joined what is now known as the American Nurses Association and ultimately co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses. Learn more about her story here.
- Constance Baker Motley, federal judge: born in 1921 in New Haven, CT she eventually became the first black woman accepted into Colombia Law School. She was also the first black woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Her firsts continued, as she became the first woman to be elected to the New York State Senate, and first African American woman to hold Federal Judgeship. Learn more about her story here.
- Dr. Dorothy Height, notable social worker: born in 1912 in Richmond, VA Height became a notable social worker. She has also contributed greatly to desegregation, known as the godmother of the civil rights movement. She received both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. Learn more about her story here.
