A Letter from Incoming ED, Dr. Mahri Irvine
Dear friends,
Humbled, honored, and hopeful – this is how I feel as I step into the role of Executive Director for WoLF. I have been a devoted fan ever since learning about WoLF a few years ago. I’ve been cheering from the sidelines, making small donations, and talking with my friends about how grateful I am that this amazing group of courageous women exists to defend our rights. When the opportunity to become more involved with WoLF came along, I was elated. As a lifelong feminist and someone who has spent my entire career fighting men’s violence against women and children, I knew that I wanted to join WoLF’s team.
When I discovered WoLF, I felt that I had finally found my political home: WoLF is unapologetically devoted to women’s rights. WoLF’s commitment to supporting women’s bodily autonomy, abolishing regressive gender roles, and creating a world free from male violence perfectly aligns with my own values. And yet, because WoLF refuses to compromise or apologize for its promise to prioritize the safety and dignity of women and girls, the organization faces fierce opposition from those who should be our natural allies.
I am proud of the courage and honesty that WoLF demonstrates in its willingness to work with people and agencies that represent all political affiliations. As a political independent who does not belong to either major US political party, I recognize the value of a non-partisan approach to accomplishing shared goals. WoLF’s willingness to collaborate respectfully and genuinely with diverse groups is something that I treasure, and something that I will uphold.
“WoLF’s willingness to collaborate respectfully and genuinely with diverse groups is something that I treasure, and something that I will uphold.”
Setting aside party purity tests is vital given the urgent reality that is facing some of our country’s most vulnerable populations of women: the 219,000 women (mostly mothers) incarcerated in US prisons, and the one in four women and girls who will be victims of sexual assault. Throughout my career, I have seen first-hand the terrible impact of male violence on these populations.
From 2012 - 2014, I worked at a women’s prison reentry organization, running a non-therapeutic support group as part of my research dissertation. The time I spent working with this group profoundly impacted me. These women had survived levels of brutality that I could never have even imagined; they were abused and assaulted by so many men. I know how vulnerable and traumatized incarcerated women are because I have heard their stories, seen their tears, and listened to their pain. WoLF’s legal advocacy work to protect the safety and dignity of incarcerated women is near to my heart for this reason, and I’m excited to be joining the organization as we are positioned to lead the fight against SB 132 in California.
I have also seen firsthand how transgender ideology harms young women. For most of my young adult life, I was indoctrinated into the belief that gender was nothing more than a performance, that no real differences between males and females should be acknowledged, and that it was morally acceptable to pressure people to accept “gender identities” without question or critique. Like many other people who are naturally compassionate and want everyone to be happy and safe, I believed this propaganda.
It was about six years ago that I began to critically question how the trans rights movement was eroding women’s rights. As I finally began to examine my own beliefs and indoctrination experiences, I started to realize how much damage had already been done to women’s rights and freedom of speech in the United States and other countries. Around the world, women and girls are facing unprecedented levels of hostility – the legal definition of our existence is under attack in many countries. Women and men are actively encouraged to reject science and biological reality, and they are viciously smeared as bigots whenever they resist this brainwashing and gaslighting.
“I am immensely proud of the courage that WoLF’s board and staff members have shown over the past few years.”
Gender ideology propaganda is a fundamental threat to the legal rights and the bodily autonomy of women and girls everywhere. Yet, today this propaganda is largely supported by the “progressive,” “liberal,” and “feminist” institutions women have long relied on to advocate for our civil and human rights. WoLF stands apart as one of the only proudly feminist organizations speaking out against this threat.
I am immensely proud of the courage that WoLF’s board and staff members have shown over the past few years as they have risked social stigma and threats of violence by speaking out against trans ideology. I am humbled and honored to have the chance to work alongside these phenomenal women as we work to protect the rights of all women and girls.
In closing, I want to note that I view executive leadership positions as just one essential role among many. We all have different roles to play as we work to serve women and girls. Every single WoLF board member, employee, donor, volunteer, and member is integral to the success of our mission. We all contribute in different ways – by giving our time, energy, money, or social and political support. I have so much genuine gratitude for the role of everyone involved with WoLF. Thank you for trusting me with this leadership role. I am beyond excited and inspired to start this journey with all of you.
In solidarity,
Mahri Irvine, PhD