Anne Marshall...advocate of all advocates…
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our co-worker, Anne Marshall Pence, on April
10, 2012, age 90.
Anne was our colleague…friend…sister…mother…grandmother. She was a passionate, dedicated
advocate, and she embodied what Praxis seeks to teach others about advocacy on behalf of women
and their children.
Anne raised a family, worked as a school bookkeeper and an accountant in the private sector until
her 60’s. Then, when most would be setting their sights on retirement, she began her work in the
battered women's movement. She committed her time and energy to this social change work until her
final days. Anne was the mother of Ellen Pence, our former director, to whom she passed much of
her skill and talent as a critical thinker and passionate activist – but Anne was an advocate in her own
right and blazed her own trails.
Anne joined the collective of Women's Advocates in St. Paul, Minnesota as an accountant in 1976.
She brought expertise with finance to one of the first shelters in the nation, but was soon appreciated
for her advocacy voice and willingness to challenge our movement to think more deeply and critically
about sexism, racism, and classism and their impact on women and society. She approached
advocacy as a partnership with women and staunchly adhered to the principle of keeping the voices
of battered women central in our movement’s work.
In the 80's she became an advocate at Alexandra House in Fridley then joined the staff of Home Free
Shelter in Plymouth. She started the Brooklyn Center Intervention Project in 1983 – one of the first
criminal justice intervention projects in Minnesota. Her wit, sharp mind and commitment to changing
how battered women were treated within the legal system soon won over judges, police officers and
the chief of police; the city proclaimed June 29th, 1990 as Anne Marshall Day in recognition of this
work. She went on to concurrently run the Home Free Intervention Project in Crystal, Golden Valley
and Plymouth. She was especially committed to the volunteers who were the foundation of these
projects; many were survivors who took up the cause because of the advocacy and support they
received from Anne.
At that time Anne was also instrumental in starting the Ageism and Battering Project of the MN
Coalition for Battered Women. She co-authored the Older Battered Women's Curriculum – the first
such resource for shelters on how to advocate for older battered women – and Old Women Breaking
the Silence manual, a resource for older women. Her passion was about the oppression of ageism
first, and then how this affected the lives of old women who are battered. Though project coordinator,
she emphasized the collective nature of the project – multiple committee members and editors – but
most importantly the seven brave women who shared their stories. Anne received the Sunshine Lady
Award from the Sunshine Foundation and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence for this
groundbreaking work.
Anne moved to Duluth in the 90’s to provide accounting services for Minnesota Program
Development, Inc. (Domestic Abuse Intervention Project). While always a meticulous accountant she
was drawn to opportunities to work directly with women, and developed the first group in the nation
for battered women who were arrested when they fought back against abusers. Part of a group effort
by advocates, city prosecutors and other practitioners to develop the Crossroads Program – a new
approach to responding to battered women defendants – Anne’s groups with women were leadingedge.
In 1998 Anne joined Praxis as Finance Manager, but again focused beyond the numbers to support
development of the training and technical assistance programs we offer. Most recently, she worked to
envision and develop the Advocacy Learning Center – a project dear to her heart. She believed
fiercely that social change advocacy must be the essential core of our work, and that women and
their lived experience must remain at the center of all of our efforts. She was a constant reminder to
us to keep an oppression analysis and pay attention to issues of race, class, and age in the
development and delivery of our materials.
Into her final days, Anne challenged us to remain radical – to adhere to our roots in community
organizing and not become complacent with the status quo – as long as violence against women is a
norm in our society. She wanted us to commit to doing, working, thinking, talking, writing, teaching,
and learning. And to do this alongside women who suffer the many forms of gender violence.
Anne also taught us to celebrate – to enjoy a good meal and a sip of Bombay Sapphire – and to
laugh with good company. She enjoyed entertaining, whether at her annual gathering of “interesting
women”, at one of the restaurants she frequented, or in the comfort of her home where every room
was a work of art.
Anne showed us what it can mean to live life as fully as possible. She never retired and proved that,
as long as health permits, age is no obstacle to re-creating our world. She loved the Lila Watson
quote, “If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your
liberation is bound to mine, let us work together.”
In a final letter to us at Praxis Anne said, “Please ask yourself when you go into the next meeting:
‘Are the voices of battered women heard at our table? What am I trying to accomplish by working
here? Is the purpose of my work to change women’s place in the world?’”
We will remember her fondly…for what she lived for...for who she was...the advocate of all
advocates.
Amanda McCormick, Cheryl Beardslee, Cyndi Cook and Julie Tilley on behalf of the staff and board of Praxis International