Mary SimmerlingMary Simmerling is a poet, scholar, and activist with a Ph.D. in Philosophy and an MA in Psychology. She is an Affiliate and Board Member of Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA), as well as a member of End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI), Immgrant Women's Services Ottawa (IWSO), Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network's (RAINN) National Leadership Council, and the League of Canadian Poets. Mary leads writing workshops for survivors of sexual violence and those who care for them. Her poem, "What I Was Wearing," has inspired international exhibits empowering survivors to reclaim their stories and challenge victim-blaming myths around sexual violence. Inspired by the work of AWA founder Pat Schneider, Mary recently established Write Where We Belong Press to give voice to stories that might not otherwise be heard. Read More Read Less