Linda D. Axley, Tahlequah, Oklahoma: When I first got here, it was not against the law in Oklahoma to beat your wife. There was a definite need to have a place—a safe place—for women and children to be able to respond appropriately to rape victims—rape and incest survivors. We didn't have that.
DEANA FRANKE, FOUNDING MOTHER AND FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HELP-IN-CRISIS: To come into our community 36 years ago and start this kind of an organization took a backbone like you just hardly ever see.
LINDA AXLEY: Everybody's got within them something that they want to give. And if you can touch on that and find ways for people to participate and to give in a way that is satisfying to them and brings them some joy, then you're doing a good job.
MARGARET COOK, JD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HELP-IN-CRISIS: When she first came to the community there was nowhere for women that had progressive thoughts. And so Linda has created a safe atmosphere, and she's given women a place to come together.
LINDA AXLEY: We started here in January of 1980. It was totally volunteer for the first 2 years. In 84 was when we were able to open our first shelter. And then along the way we started adding other victim services. And who—who would have thought—we have an attorney. So when a woman comes in and she needs a protective order, she needs some assistance, you've got that to offer her and to help her. One of the great honors of my life is that I'm considered to be one of the Founding Mothers.
PAM MOORE, DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR NATIVE JUSTICE, FOUNDING MOTHER, HELP-IN-CRISIS: She has a gift for leadership and for community organization. And she has created here something that is so sustainable, so resilient.
LINDA AXLEY: We were responding to the need for women to have justice. I'm proud that my little piece has been a part of this bigger effort, here and nationwide.
