There will soon be a change at the top of the London Abused Women's Centre.
It was announced on Thursday morning that Megan Walker will retire from her position of Executive Director, effective August 31, 2021. Walker has been with LAWC for nearly 25 years, and decided it is time to step aside. But she says will still be active in the community.
"I love this community. It was the community I was born in, it's the community that's been so generous to the work that we do here. So, I'll find a way that I can make a contribution somewhere," she said.
Under her leadership, the London Abused Women's Centre has grown to the point where it now serves more than 8,000 women and girls each year. Walker has always said that it is her hope that, someday, that figure will be zero. However, she admits it will take a greater effort from men to make that happen.
"We need men that support freedom from oppression to stand up and make themselves known," she said. "Men need to be held accountable for their actions. And men who are good, and I believe the majority of men are, need to stand up and say, 'listen, we're not going to tolerate this and we're going to take the lead. Women have done this for too long and it's time for us to stand up.'"
Listen: Megan Walker speaks with Scott Kitching about her career and retirement:
[audio mp3="https://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Megan-Walker-interview.mp3"][/audio]
Jennifer Dunn, who has been with LAWC for about a decade, has been promoted to Associate Executive Director and will replace Walker later this summer.
"The Board of Directors is grateful for Walker’s fierce dedication over the past 24 years and wishes her a happy, well-deserved retiremen," a statement from the Board said. "The Board also looks forward to Dunn continuing to represent LAWC on the world stage and ensuring no woman or girl seeking help is ever turned away"