Memphis Area Women's Council

The Memphis Area Women's Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing women's rights and safety across Greater Memphis, Tennessee. For over 20 years, MAWC has been instrumental in driving policy and practice changes that directly impact the success and wellbeing of women and girls in the region. The organization operates through a unique model that bridges research and activism, connecting data-driven insights with community advocates to create measurable change at the local level.

MAWC's work spans critical areas including domestic violence prevention, workplace safety, sexual harassment prevention in educational settings, and victims' rights advocacy. The organization runs several impactful programs including Memphis Says NO MORE, an awareness campaign connecting domestic violence victims and volunteers to essential resources; the Victims in the Workplace initiative; and WomenTalk, a community forum for dialogue and awareness. Additionally, MAWC administers the Women of Achievement awards program, now in its 40th year, recognizing nearly 300 women leaders who have shaped Memphis and Shelby County through their changemaking efforts.

Key accomplishments demonstrate MAWC's effectiveness in Memphis: ending corporal punishment in city schools, securing living wage standards for municipal employees, establishing court watch programs in domestic violence cases, and championing the Family Safety Center. The organization is not a service provider but rather an advocacy and research-focused entity that mobilizes both individual and organizational members to amplify women's voices in policy discussions. MAWC serves the Memphis, TN community by equipping women and girls with data and platforms to lead systemic change on issues affecting their safety, economic security, and educational opportunities.