West KY NOW hosts panel discussion on Oct. 22

The West Kentucky chapter of the National Organization for Women (West KY NOW) continues its support for survivors of domestic violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. As part of West KY NOW’s commitment to Ending Violence Against Women, the organization is hosting a panel discussion at the Calloway County Public Library, Community Room A, on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Entitled "NOW is the Time: Raising Awareness to End Violence Against Women," this informational event is free and we will be collecting donations of new and slightly used items, as well as cash and gift cards, to assist women and families’ transition to be given to the Merryman House, the state-designated and only certified domestic violence program in the Purchase District. A full list of items can be found on West KY NOW’s Facebook and Instagram pages or at https://www.westkynow.org.

The first 20 people through the doors will receive a free personal safety alarm with LED light and panic button.

Mary E. Foley, PsyD, executive director of the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center; Jessica Foust, executive director of CASA by the Lakes; and Emily Wicker, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) will be participating in the panel discussion. Lauren Hines will moderate the discussion.

Foley has 20 years of experience in working with victims of interpersonal crimes such as child sexual abuse, adult sexual assault and domestic violence. She holds a Master’s degree from Murray State University in Clinical Psychology and a doctorate degree from Western Kentucky University in Applied Psychology (PsyD) and is a licensed clinical psychologist in both Kentucky and Michigan. Foley is a trained expert witness in the specialty area of trauma and its impact and is certified as a domestic violence advocate through the Kentucky domestic violence coalition, ZeroV.

Foust has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Murray State. She has served in multiple roles within CASA by the Lakes, becoming executive director in 2022. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are court-appointed volunteers that advocate for a child’s best interest. She currently serves as the secretary and Incoming Board Chair for the Murray Calloway County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, is the current Chair of the Murray CUBS Steering Committee, serves on the Murray State President's Strategic Planning Committee, and serves as a Local Program Representative on the Kentucky CASA Network Board of Directors.

Wicker is a registered nurse and SANE-certified nurse who has worked as an ER nurse, charge nurse and preceptor. Her background also includes paramedicine, nursing education, mentoring newer nurses and coursework in nurse coaching. A large part of her career has involved caring for patients during trauma and crisis. She is currently completing graduate training to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife.

This is not a program sponsored by or affiliated with the Calloway County Public Library. For more information, visit West KY NOW’s Facebook and Instagram pages or at https://www.westkynow.org.

West KY NOW is a multi-issue, multi-strategy organization that takes a holistic approach to women’s rights. Through advocacy, education and outreach, West KY NOW works for reproductive rights and justice, economic justice, ending violence against women, racial justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, and Constitutional equality