Paducah, KY, July 18, 2021– The Board of Directors, Staff, and Agency Supporters mourn the loss of the organization’s founder, J. Merryman Kemp, who passed away early Sunday morning after a long battle with cancer. She was 84 years old. Merryman founded Women Aware Inc. in 1978, which was later renamed Merryman House in her honor. Since that time, Merryman House has grown into a comprehensive advocacy and support center for victims of intimate partner violence, and provides a wide variety of life-saving, building and changing services that include a 24-hour emergency shelter, 24-hour hotline, housing stabilization, specialized mental health services, comprehensive case management, legal advocacy and more. Likewise, the organization continues her passion for advocacy through its statewide efforts to inform public policy and to engage systems in changes needed to create a safer, more equitable community- the foundational principles that led her to start Women Aware.
“Merryman Kemp was a force that propelled our community forward,” said Executive Director, Dr. Mary Foley. “She laid a foundation on which many men and women have stood to find courage to live their best lives. She was a passionate advocate, loyal friend, and wise advisor to all who knew her. She loved our organization, and remained actively engaged in the work. She modeled how to show love through service, spread peace through policy, and stand courageously in the face of all things difficult. She was fierce.”
Kemp lived a life of service to others, and was known for her commitment to “love, peace and courage,” which was her signature line for all correspondence. Kemp was committed to the empowerment of others, and to causes related to domestic violence and substance abuse. She served as an active Emeritus member of the Board of Directors up to her death, and remained engaged in the work to end violence and improve the quality of life for the oppressed and marginalized of our community.
“She left us a legacy to follow, and we will continue to govern the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center following the principles to which she held true,” said Judd Myers, the Organization’s Board Chair. “Today, we mourn with her family and with the greater community at the loss of such a wonderful woman.”
About
Merryman House, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, is committed to saving, building and changing the lives of victims of domestic violence. It has been serving the eight-county Purchase Region as the state-designated provider since 1978. Merryman House offers non-residential programming as well. It has four outreach offices located in McCracken, Marshall, Graves, and Calloway counties. Merryman House serves in excess of 1,000 victims per year, and all services are free and confidential.
If you would like more information about the Merryman House, please contact Kayla Myers, Director of Community Engagement at 270.443.6001 or via email (kaylam@merrymanhouse.org) or visit the website at www.merrymanhouse.org.