Center for the Psychology of Women was founded in 2009 by Jessica LeRoy
My mother was a feminist out of need and desperation
She had no other options. She was not part of any movement. She couldn’t tell you about the ERA, burning bras, or what any of the waves of feminism meant. She was a single mom with two young daughters who had a difficult time getting approved for a home loan, not because she didn’t have a job, but because she didn’t have a husband. My mother was an “angry” feminist. I saw my mother’s struggles affect her on deep psychological and emotional levels. As a reaction to the challenges she faced, my mother pushed education, financial security, and self-reliance over a June Cleaver-esque existence for her daughters.
Feminism was bred into me out of a necessity to survive
While my mother’s hardships informed her feminist style of parenting, there was no protecting me from the gender-based injustices that I would end up facing in my own life. From childhood on, I began to experience and understand that all women struggle and feel defenseless in similar ways. All women have, will, or know someone who has faced domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, eating disorders, addiction and self harm, low self-worth, low self-esteem, and low self-confidence. No one ever does this, but if you asked a roomful of women if they know of someone who has been sexually assaulted, I can guarantee that every hand in the room would be raised. The Center for the Psychology of Women was born out of the realization that I was not alone in my struggle.
Women need their own psychology
Women have different stresses placed upon us by ourselves, and by our culture. I created the Center for the Psychology of Women as a safe space where women can engage in honest dialogue and define for themselves what mental health looks like. At its core, the Center is built on the strength of a supportive community for women, by women, and about women. We believe that progressive, feminist communities are essential to the well-being of our society and we work to reveal all women’s strengths through empowerment and acceptance, which begins here.
My Mother’s struggles will not be my Daughter’s
The future of the Center for the Psychology of Women looks bright. We are working in and beyond our local communities with women and men. Together, we are shaping a society and culture that enables and rewards self-identification without antiquated patriarchal expectations being placed upon us. The Center is a part of a global movement towards a more equitable society. Change can begin here, change is happening here. I personally invite and welcome you to join our community!
Jessica LeRoy
{ Founder, Executive Director and Psychotherapist }
Contact Jessica:
jessica @ psychologyofwomen (dot) com
323.369.0755 x 2
