Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence ceremony in honor of Jane Philo

Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence held a ceremony and reception dedicating Jane’s House in honor of former executive director Jane Philo.

Philo headed the Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Nonviolence from 1983 until 2004.

Philo pounded the pavement, working tirelessly to ensure women in abusive situations found a way out and received proper care.

More than 20,000 women, children, and men have received services through shelter and nonresidential programs since it opened and approximately 12,000 children, adolescents, and adults attend violence prevention sessions annually. Jane Philo’s daughter Heather Wagner said, “This house is a great way to commemorate everything that she stood for and everything that she believed in, but I think as some of the other speakers mentioned, her legacy goes well beyond the six counties of Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence serves. She was a driving force. She was an inspiration and a mentor to so many individuals who continue to work in this field to this day not just here in Mississippi, but across the nation.”

Jane Philo passed away yesterday. Philo’s husband, family and friends were present at the ceremony to honor her life and legacy.