A Leading Voice for Justice

April 2020 We hope you are well and staying safe during the COVID-19 crisis. Read on for our monthly e-news. WLC services during COVID-19 WLC remains open and operating remotely during this crisis. Our attorneys continue to assist victims of domestic violence, while our hotlines and other services remain open. Wine & Chocolate 2020 - the show must go on! Mark your calendars for June 24th for our 14th Annual Wine & Chocolate. It's our sweetest event of the year! If we can't hold this event in-person, it will be virtual - same date! Join us to come together as a community to drink wine, eat chocolate, and support justice for women. More information to come, and ticket holders will be notified of any changes. To sponsor or purchase tickets: Wine & Chocolate 2020 Legislative Session Despite the early closure of the Maryland Legislature this year due to COVID-19, there were some important bills passed which relate to Maryland child support guidelines, as well as victims of sexual assault. In a significant victory, a new law will now clarify that sexual assault victims will be able to file for protective orders, instead of peace orders. Protective orders provide a more robust, holistic response from law enforcement and the courts compared to peace orders. For more information, READ HERE . Save the Date! Join WLC (virtually) on May 5th for the first ever #GivingTuesdayNow in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Domestic violence does not take a break during a pandemic; in fact, the numbers show it escalates. Help us continue to provide services to victims of domestic violence and support justice for women. Look for more info on social media and in your inbox about how to participate on May 5th and leading up to Mother's Day weekend. We Are Hiring WLC is hiring for two positions: Baltimore County POARP Legal Advocate (non-attorney) and Carroll County POARP Staff Attorney. More information available HERE .

The Employment Law Hotline has expanded during the pandemic, adding Friday hours. Now open Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:30am-1pm, and the first Thursday of each month, 5:30-7pm. 1-877-422-9500. This free hotline is available to anyone living or working in Maryland. Having trouble finding the perfect gift while staying at home? This Mother's Day (May 10th), donate to WLC in honor of a loved one, and we will let her know you are thinking of her. More details coming soon about celebrating Mother's Day with WLC. GIVE TODAY WLC attorneys continue to work on behalf of their clients during the crisis. (pictured here, CLAS Project Staff Attorney Irene Smith). Irene writes, "Every day, clients reach out to find out how I'm doing. I think that is so incredibly emblematic of the goodness and compassion of our clients...We really are sisters." At end of March, we were sad to say good bye to POARP Legal Advocate Jan Arado on her retirement. Jan was an incredible and dedicated WLC staff member, in a couple different roles, for over a decade. Thank you, Jan - we will miss you, and we wish you a Happy Retirement!!! Partner News April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month . For more information about services for victims of sexual assault in Maryland, see Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. For more information about state court operations and closures, please visit the Maryland Courts . Please reach out to your local jurisdiction with any questions about services during the pandemic.

About The Women's Law Center of Maryland The vision of the Women’s Law Center of Maryland is a legal system that provides justice and fairness for women. The Women’s Law Center’s mission is to ensure the physical safety, economic security, and autonomy of women throughout the State. We work towards this goal by providing direct legal representation, information and referral services, and legislative advocacy.

Our efforts to promote justice, fairness, and equality for women are only possible because of friends like you.

Give Today

The Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc. is a charitable organization designated as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). A copy of our financial statement is available upon request. Documents and information submitted under the State of Maryland Charitable Solicitations Act are available from the Office of the Secretary of State of Maryland, Annapolis, MD 21401 for the cost of copying and postage.

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌