Volunteer anniversary: Celebrating 40 years of Frankie!

Written by SAFE

For the past four decades, we’ve had the immense honor of having Frankie Fowler as a volunteer.

Over the years, Frankie has worked in SAFE’s shelters, been a voice of hope to callers on the SAFEline, engaged youth in presentations on healthy relationships, and has volunteered at community events to raise funds and awareness about domestic, sexual, and dating violence.

She has provided more than 26,650 hours of volunteer services to countless survivors and community members through her work for SAFE. Thank you for all that you do, Frankie!

Listen to Frankie talk about her volunteer work on the SAFE Word podcast:

 

Frankie Fowler

Image description: A photo of Frankie Fowler sitting at the former SafePlace shelter where she volunteered answering phone calls from people seeking support with family violence.

Image description: A photo of Frankie Fowler sitting at the former SafePlace shelter where she volunteered answering phone calls from people seeking support with family violence.

Frankie also serves with her church, St. John Regular Baptist District Association, Texas Mass Choir, and the local chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. In all she does, Frankie teaches that love is about equality and respect.

She has imparted this message to thousands, which they take with them and share with others. She teaches others tools that help build healthy and thriving individuals, families, and communities.

She has been honored numerous times by other agencies, local and state government, media, and businesses as an exceptional volunteer and leader in the community. She was honored for her amazing service to SAFE at a reception held in the home of longtime domestic violence advocate and SAFE Foundation Board trustee Luci Baines Johnson in May 2011.

To recognize Frankie’s extraordinary legacy of service, in 2006, SAFE created the Frankie Fowler Volunteer of the Year Award to recognize SAFE volunteers who reflect her outstanding service and motivation to help address and prevent abuse. In the more than 10 years since the inception of the “Frankie Award,” we have honored 13 passionate and dedicated volunteers.

To mark Frankie’s 35 years of service, in 2016 we honored her with a Longevity of Service Award. During the ceremony, Frankie spoke about the importance of taking a step back from this hard work to take care of yourself—after all, that’s how she’s made it for this long. The work, she said, is incredibly rewarding: “I don’t know if I have 35 more years, but what I do have, I pledge I will give.”

Frankie, is a role model in our community. We thank her for 40 years of excellence and dedication to our mission.