South Portland, Maine

Lois Galgay Reckitt, Executive Director of Family Crisis Services in Portland, Maine, has been at the forefront of Maine's efforts to stop domestic abuse and assist its victims. She has lobbied for stronger laws against abuse and pushed for aggressive enforcement of those laws. A list of her achievements must include that she has helped to raise the consciousness of the general public in Maine to the existence and the magnitude of domestic violence in our society. With her help, the Legislature has passed major reforms in the area of domestic violence, including anti- stalking legislation, a domestic violence homicide review panel, and gun control measures for abusers.

In her struggle to bring about changes through laws and policies, Lois has given her time to many committees and boards that directly influence her goals. She has been the Chair of the Maine Coalition for Family Crisis Services, the Maine Representative to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and, for six years, a member of the Maine Commission on Domestic Abuse- serving for three years as Chair. She has also served on the Performance Council of the Judicial Branch, and is currently Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

In addition to her work in the area of domestic violence, Lois has initiated many groups in Maine to fight for the rights of all people. She co-founded the first chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) in Maine, co-founded the state organization of NOW, the Maine Coalition for Human Rights, Maine Right to Choose, the Maine Women's Lobby, and the Matlovich Society-an educational and cultural group for gays and lesbians and their allies. Her outstanding organizational skills, her personal sense of what is right, and her special brand of humor have enabled her to forge alliances with diverse groups of individuals and organizations.

Lois gained national exposure through her service to NOW where she has served more than fifteen years on the National Board of Directors, including two terms as Executive Vice President in Washington, D.C. In addition, she helped to organize and served for eight years on the National Board of the Human Rights Campaign Fund, and served as the group's Deputy Director before returning to Maine in 1990.

Lois is one of those unique individuals who can both work quietly behind the scenes to accomplish great things and use the media to garner support and advocates for her cause. Her energy, intelligence, insight, and passion on behalf of battered women and their children are well known and highly respected. She works equally well with the law enforcement community, the legislature, and her human services colleagues. Lois Galgay Reckitt has never wavered from her goals of protecting the physical and emotional health of women and promoting Civil Rights for all. As a feminist she tirelessly crusades for Social Justice.

Photograph 1997

Inducted March, 1998