Women living in poverty in the Northwest are organizing themselves to change conditions that keep them poor and unstable thanks to their participation in Women's Justice Circles. Sponsored by the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center (IPJC) in Seattle, a ministry of the Adrian Dominicans, the justice circles bring together low-income women, those collaborating with them in various ministries, and people from local faith communities to work for systemic change.

"The justice circles are an opportunity for low-income and economically stable women to come together, with low-income women in the lead, to identify the issues that affect them," said Judy Byron, OP, IPJC program director. "The justice circles provide a feminine role model of organizing to effect systemic change."

Women in the St. Margaret Justice Circle work for systemic change by focusing on an issue that is relevant to them.

"Since IPJC's founding in 1991, we've participated in various forms of community organizing to address issues of justice," Sister Judy continued. "However, three key elements were missing from these traditional forms of organizing: addressing the needs of the homeless and most marginalized women;
a feminine model of organizing; and leadership development for women who feel and are disenfranchised. These became constitutive elements of the justice circles. IPJC had in place a successful circle process for Catholic women to gather for prayer, ritual and empowerment, and it served as a basis for creating a new program that specifically focused on the issues of low-income women."

The justice circles meet for two hours once a week over an eight-week period and are offered in both English and Spanish. Circles are organized in a variety of cities and settings, including community colleges, transitional living centers, churches and program sites for low-income women. This year, the program, under the leadership of Rosalinda Aguirre, an Adrian Dominican associate candidate, expanded to small rural towns and immigrant communities.

Women in the circles identify the issues to be addressed, talk about solutions, and develop action plans that transform their communities. In the first week, for example, the women become acquainted with one another and identify women's justice issues. In week four, they learn techniques for collaboration and choose a justice action through a consensus-building process. By weeks six and seven, they are ready to organize and take action on an issue, whether it be access to housing, health care, child care, mental health resources, or credit.

Women in a Spanish-speaking justice circle in the rural town of Mattawa, for instance, were frustrated by the slow response of police to domestic violence. "The Women's Justice Circle made the decision to go the city council," Rosalinda explained. "As they voiced their concerns, the mayor immediately called a meeting with the sheriff, police chief and women to discuss finding solutions to the problem."

Success in addressing an issue that's important to the women and their children is just one of the benefits participants gain from the circles. Women being affirmed for who they are and believing in themselves; homeless and marginalized women feeling empowered to work for the common good of all women in their situation; women learning new skills to effect change; and economically stable women forming relationships with women in poverty, truly make the justice circles fulfilling for all involved, Sister Judy said.

"It takes a tremendous commitment to sustain and fund the program of justice circles, but every circle results in renewed passion in the pursuit of justice," she remarked. "Whether there is a change in relationships with those who have power or the specific successes of changing Section-8 housing forms, it makes a difference.