History of Feminism

Our History: Born out of the Battered Women's Movement

Ten years ago co-founders Tony Porter and Ted Bunch sent an open invitation to a modest network of people working in the field of domestic violence and sexual assault asking them to attend a presentation entitled “A Call to Men – Becoming Part of the Solution”. Tony and Ted wanted to talk to men. They wanted to raise awareness of the importance of bystander intervention and of what “well meaning” men who do not batter or sexually assault women have in common with those who do. They recognized that in our society all men (on some level) are socialized to devalue women, treat women as objects and as the “property” of men. While offending individuals certainly need to be held accountable for abusive and violent behavior, what they identified was that violence and discrimination against women and girls is a larger social ill requiring a social response. A reponse that needed to come from men!

It was amazing how quickly enthusiasm and support for the "A CALL TO MEN" approach to solving this problem flourished into a network of men committed to ending all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls. Our organization continues to expand and grow nationally and internationally, redefining and reshaping ideas about manhood. We are committed to creating a world were all men and boys are loving and respectful and all women and girls are valued and safe