Bolivia RPCV Barbara Goldman earned recognition for her work at the Santa Fe Rape Crisis Center
WOMAN ON THE MOVE
Sep 26, 2004
The Santa Fe New Mexican
by Ginger Mcguire, Photo By Steve Babuljak
Barbara Goldman earned recognition for her work at the Santa Fe Rape Crisis Center
The executive director of the Santa Fe Rape Crisis Center said her job is to keep the center's doors open, and she will do whatever it takes to accomplish that obligation.
"There's something abundantly filling about doing a job that is so difficult and so necessary," said Barbara Goldman, who has been the center's executive director for almost 14 years. "I have been inspired by survivors. Everyday, I learn something from them by their bravery and willingness to do the hard work that is involved in healing from sexual violence.
"The mission is to make this community free of sexual violence. We want people to report sexual violence with the same regularity they would report a theft in their home."
And because of that stance, Goldman is one of 11 women in New Mexico who earned the 2004 YWCA of the Middle Rio Grande Woman on the Move award, which recognizes those who have positively affected others through their involvement in their community.
Goldman said she was "flabbergasted" when she received the award but can't take all the credit for the work being done at the center.
Still, those who know and work with Goldman say she is special. "Barbara is truly a phenomenal leader," said Joan Schutz, who has been a volunteer at the Rape Crisis Center for about 13 years. "She is driven for fairness and justice, and it's not just a job she is doing, and it shows. She is an outstanding woman -- definitely a woman on the move."
The Santa Fe Rape Crisis Center expanded this past March from a small building on Second Street into a
$2.2 million facility, with nine treatment and prevention programs.
Helenmarie Zachritz, president of the Rape Crisis Center's board, said the new facility is a result of Goldman's leadership and fund- raising efforts.
Zachritz, who nominated the center's executive director for the Woman on the Move award, said it was about time Goldman was honored for her dedication.
"Her life reflects the values of diversity, peace and social justice," Zachritz said. "She is eager to listen and learn while always encouraging and empowering others to fight for what they believe in."
If Goldman is not in a "billion board meetings everyday," she is involved in every aspect of the center, from fund-raising and finance to being on call for the 24-hour crisis hot-line.
Goldman was born in Hollywood, Calif., and grew up in Albuquerque. As an educator, she taught classes from pre-school to graduate students. She spent two years in Bolivia as a Peace Corps volunteer and lived in Israel for a year.
While Goldman was in the Middle East during the Persian Gulf War, she decided to accept a job at the Rape Crisis Center, not knowing at the time she would stay aboard for
14 years. "The work of ending sexual violence is so compelling and energizing and so crucial that I couldn't leave," she said.
After all, according to the Rape Crisis Center's statistics, Santa Fe has the highest rate of reported rape per capita in the state, and New Mexico has the second highest incidence of reported rapes per capita in the United States.
Goldman said the center had 1,500 clients last year, about 600 hot-line calls were taken and the center reached more than 20,000 people with prevention messages.
Goldman said she is proud of the new building and of all the people who work and volunteer at the center. "Clients come in here and walk into a space that says, 'I'm worthy, people care about me,' " she said.
Goldman said the center is always looking for volunteers.
For information or to volunteer, call 988-1951. The 24-hour crisis hot-line is 986-9111.
