r a  to bring

. . c. oeer to ‘home.

There needed to nbegconcrete links

to the communityl was living in.”
Celia Ctlddy A

BY CYNTHIA P0113

t’s one of the busiest days of Celia

Cuddy’s year — the annual Take Back

the Night March is scheduled to start
in just a few hours, and “It’s been really ]
crazy!” Yet the executive director of the
Women’s Rape Crisis Center was willing
totake some time to talk with Out in the
Mountains: gr ~ -— -

We began with the upcoming
event. “We’re expecting a larger crowd
this year. There’s been such a raised level
of interest, of awareness, especially after
the release of Douglas Bryant.” Bryant is
a convicted repeat sex offender, a rapist,
who has been re-arrested for violating a
requirement to provide a “valid address”
for his listing on the state’s sex offender
registry. “This [event] gives the communi-
ty a chance to come and be heard. We’ve
issued special invitations to the State’s A
Attorney, to the Crime Commissioner, and
others. That way they can hear what’s
important to the people.”

Facilitating this kind of dialog is
nothing new for Cuddy. Her roots with
activism and social change go back to her
college days.

“My journey began at college. I
attended Hampshire College, which is an
alternative college in,Massachusetts. I
majored in child development and peace

studies. Like so many of us, that?s when I.
came into my feminism and political-
activism.”

After graduation, _Cuddy was
involved in the anti—nuclear movement.
“There were the wars in South America,
all types of civil disobedience. I took a
broad view of anti-violence activism,
looking at global issues.” 

A number of years later, Cuddy -I
was burnt out. “I was looking fora way to 7
bring my activism "closer to home. There ’
needed to be concrete links’ to the commu-
nity I was living in.” A friend was volun-
teering at a battered women’s shelter in
Northampton, Massachusetts, and Cuddy
joined her. ’ g

“It was at Necessities that I found
my passion,” Cuddy continued. “It was
tremendous to be able to help women on
so many levels.” It was there that Cuddy
met Gail Keilson, who became “my spiri-
tual mentor.” Keilson was the inspiration
for Cuddy to pursue her Masters of Social
Work Degree. She obtained the degree
from UVM-, in order to “do my work from
a deeper place. Gail was so ethical in
everything she did, and I wanted toibe like
tha .”.

 

It was also at Necessities that
Cuddy became a victim of domestic vio-
lence herself. “She was another volunteer.
We were together 8 months, and it was the
classic cycle of violence, with the slow

, building and gradual stripping away of my

self.

“It’s not so uncommon to find
batterers acting as volunteers — after all,
what better cover exists? We in the Queer
Anti-Violence movement can’t always
assume workers come to us with good .
intentions.

“This was a pivotal experience,"’". :5’

Cuddy continued. “It made me determined

to frame my anti-violence work in a way
that is inclusive.

“At the core, violence is about
power and control. At a central level,
someonehas. to make a choice to use or
abuse that power. There are so many ways
that power is organized in our society. The
classic model is along gender lines, but
power is divided among races, classes,
ages, even by levels of personal charisma
or how out you are.”

In the beginning, there was a
reluctance to discuss violence in same sex
relationships. “People would tilt their
heads like dogs, looking at me with this
expression of ‘What are you talking
about? Violence comes from outside our
community, not within it.’ I think we had
to do a little grieving first.”

Cuddy chaired the Same Sex
Domestic Violence Task Force. “We were
very lucky to work with Peter Jacobson,
who helped us get the large grant to form
SafeSpace.”

3. Alim-

. In 199.9, Cuddy came to the
Women’s Rape Crisis Center. “It’s been
such a privilege._pThis is the thing I’ve_

been aiming for, to‘ Adiscover how we can" 
_ do direct work”and, create social change” 

A strong feminist framework

. influences Cuddy’s leadership. “_It’s

important that we pay attention to the  g
‘ process. The journey is "at the ‘heart of 4 I ’
what we do and sometimes that takes a lot’ ;
I oftalk.” ‘ '

Work with victims of violence

A creates a special kind of vicarious trauma,
something that Cuddy is vigilant for. “We  j

pay thoughtful attention to that. We have
regular staff retreats, do fun things.”

On a personal level, Cuddy is
mother to 18-month old Lucy. “She’s my
greatest joy. She’s just learned to say
‘Sure’,” Cuddy is co-parenting with her
former partner. “We very intentionally cre-
ated our family, acting to form a beloved ‘
community.” Cuddy also enjoys yoga,
reading, poetry, and gardening.

“We have full, complicated lives.
I’m very blessed. But the best thing is that

.I’m Lucy’s Mom.” V

Cynthia Potts lives with her family and an
ever-growing collection of animals in

'Plattsburgh, N)’. She welcomes reader

comments and can be reached at
ctp0tts@jun0. com.

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