At The Center for Family Justice, we talk a lot about giving people hope. We give them information and support as they navigate life during and after abuse.

We let them know we believe them and believe in them.

Steve Pemberton, our 2024 Speaking of Women keynote speaker,  knows what’s possible for anyone who walks through CFJ’s doors looking for help.

CFJ’s 27th Annual Speaking of Women is scheduled for Tues., Sept. 10 at The Waterview in Monroe. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m.

So why did Steve agree to speak to our audience? Read on.

 

“I know what’s hanging in the balance in that room. I know how important the work is, because I lived it.”

STEVE PEMBERTON

 

CFJ: Why did you decide to speak in front of the Speaking of Women crowd? What appealed to you about coming to speak to our audience?

 

Well, because I know what’s hanging in the balance in that room. I know how important the work is, because I lived it. And I’m aware that there is a degree of fatigue, and exhaustion, and quiet questioning as to whether or not we’re having an impact. And I’m the answer. I’m the answer. I’m how their work turns out.

And in this environment of dissonance and discord, where you kind of almost have to wake up every day putting on some kind of emotional armor because of how dissonance has become profitable.

And you need to know, you need to be affirmed that your work matters. And probably lastly, I think most often about my mother, who suffered considerably. You know, to watch because of her struggles with addiction, you know, to watch her children get taken from her one by one, never to see them again.

The heartbreak that she almost certainly endured. There are women dealing with exactly that today. And so every time that I either share her journey, her life experience, I’m mindful that there are women a lot like my mother, who are trying to find their own lighthouse.

I was reading my case file. She told the social worker that if you take my children from me, there’s no point to me living anymore. And within a year of losing the last of us, she left us. I mean, there’s things like that hanging in the balance.

People who are advocates and mentors and supporters need to know that you’re helping somebody like my mother. And then there are those who are on the receiving end of that kind of support, who, you know, it’s like this duality of the lighthouses.

A lighthouse is a beacon, but lighthouses also need lighthouses.

 

 

To purchase your tickets to Speaking of Women, go here.

 

Right after Speaking of Women, guests can attend a book signing with Steve Pemberton!

 

 

Bring your copies of The Lighthouse Effect for Steve to sign right after the Speaking of Women program ends. Steve will sign books from 2 until 2:30 p.m. 

Copies of the book will also be available for purchase that day while supplies last.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STAY TUNED FOR OUR NEXT UPDATE ON THURSDAY! 

We have more news about something new we are doing at Speaking of Women this year.

One word: VACATION!