Marian House brings together women to inspire each other

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Marion Washington Redd started her journey to sobriety 13 years ago, her lowest point coming on the heels of losing her job.

She started attending Alcoholics Anonymous classes at Marian House, a nonprofit that provides housing and services for homeless women, and today she said she’s “working her way back.”

“You never know what will happen in your life,” Redd said Thursday morning at an event for Marian House in the Renaissance Hotel at Baltimore City’s Inner Harbor.

Sitting among about 100 businesswomen — and four other women who received services from Marian House — Redd recognized the need to reach out and support other women.

“We inspire one another if we tell our stories,” she said.

Marian House began the “Inspiring Women” breakfast series Thursday as a way to connect with business leaders and rally behind the needs of women in the community.

Marian House, in Baltimore City’s Waverly neighborhood, served more than 100 women last year, providing services such as counseling and life skill training, said Executive Director Katie Allston. Marion House also established Serenity Place apartments, a 19-unit affordable housing complex for low-income single women and families.

“We are entirely about rehabilitating the whole person,” Allston said.

First lady Katie O’Malley, who delivered the keynote address, called on the women to look out for each other, particularly in the face of rising domestic violence rates and a failure of protective orders to stop some abusers.

“It’s so important to do what we can as women and community members to help our neighbors,” said O’Malley, who spends time each Thursday working with at-risk schoolchildren in Waverly as part of a Truancy Court program.

O’Malley, also a Baltimore City district judge, said she was inspired to work with youth by the people who come through her courtroom, many of whom didn’t finish high school.

Truancy Court, a University of Baltimore program, aims to get to the root of the problems before the youth end up in trouble.

“We address the issues they are facing, and sometimes they are so very sad,” O’Malley said.

smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com