Fresno Press Release
April 14, 2003/updated April 22

Fresno State's Wright Dedicates Sister's Memory
Battered women funds set up Marjaree Mason Center in Fresno, Calif., and Dove, Inc., in Decatur, Ill.

FRESNO, CA.— Fresno State softball head coach Margie Wright suffered a terrible loss to her family on April 11 when the team was in Tulsa, Okla. Wright lost her sister, Betty Jane Wright Lewis, who was murdered by her estranged husband. The funeral was held in Decatur, Ill., April 15, at the Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes. Her sister was laid to rest, next to their mother, at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Wright has set up two funds for battered women in memory of her sister.

Those who wish to express their sympathy may make a donation in her sister’s name at:

Marjaree Mason Center 1600 M Street Fresno, CA 93721 Phone: 559-237-4706

DOVE, Inc. 788 E. Clay Street Decatur, IL 62521 Phone: 217-362-9233

A nonprofit organization, the Marjaree Mason Center offers individual and group counseling to women and children, 24-hour response to battered women in hospitals and/or emergency medical facilities, emergency transportation to shelter or other safe locations, referrals to local agencies for assistance, 24-hour crisis intervention, and follow up services. It provides programs that focus on local issues confronting women in the community such as poverty, domestic violence, substance abuse, housing, and education.

The mission of the Marjaree Mason Center is to eliminate domestic violence and homelessness in communities through prevention and intervention, including education, counseling and shelter. The Marjaree Mason Center coordinates the Top 10 Business and Professional Women of the Year every fall by honoring outstanding Fresno women. Wright was honored in 1998.

The Majaree Mason Center 24-hour crisis hot line number is 559-233-HELP or 800-640-0333.

DOVE, Inc. (DOmestic Violence Ended) is a nonprofit agency for abused women and their children, offering immediate and long-range support and solutions for families in need. It provides emergency housing for women and children in a safe, caring and confidential environment. While in the program, women receive advocacy, case management, emotional support and special services for their children. It provides crisis intervention and support services to women and children who have experienced domestic violence. In addition to a residential program, it also provides transitional housing program, support groups for women who have already left abusive relationship or are currently in abusive relationships; parenting groups; individual support sessions; and free educational training and seminars in schools, community groups and businesses.

DOVE, Inc., was founded in 1978 by Violence Against Women Task Force of the Quincy Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women. The agency's name is representative of the universal symbol of pace. DOVE, Inc., assists over 2,000 victims of domestic violence each year and answers more than 3,000 hotline calls.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD).