March marks Women’s History Month, a time when we recognize women who have shaped American history through their courage, resilience, and innovation. This year’s theme, “Moving Forward Together,” spotlights women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership in shaping the minds and futures of all generations.

At its core, Women’s History Month commemorates the study, observance, and celebration of women’s contributions to American history. In recent years, the National Women’s History Museum has expanded its recognition to include contemporary changemakers including:

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – Youngest woman and youngest Latina to serve in the United States Congress
• Tina Tchen – President and CEO of TIME’S UP Now and the TIME’S UP Foundation
• Mae Jemison – First African American woman to travel to outer space

These women, along with countless others, continue to build upon the foundation laid by earlier generations of female pioneers who broke barriers in their respective fields. Their ongoing achievements serve as a testament to the enduring impact of women’s contributions throughout American history and into the present day.

Fay Honey Knopp: A Visionary in Prison Reform and Violence Prevention

Foundation. Born Fay Birdie Irving on August 15, 1918, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Knopp described herself as a “Jewish-Quaker-feminist-activist.” After graduating as valedictorian from Warren Harding High School in 1935, she embarked on a path that would eventually reshape approaches to addressing sexual violence and prison reform.

Knopp’s involvement in prison reform began in 1955, when she started visiting imprisoned conscientious objectors. This work grew dramatically over the next two decades, prompting her to establish the Prison Research Education/Action Project (PREAP) in 1975 through the New York State Council of Churches. PREAP prioritized advocacy research and non-incarceration options.

Her revolutionary book, “Instead of Prisons: A Handbook for Abolitionists” (1976), questioned accepted wisdom on incarceration by contending that jails reinforced rather than resolved social issues. As she said forcefully:

“Prison, we have been taught, is a necessary evil. This is wrong. Prison is an artificial, human invention, not a fact of life; a throwback to primitive times, and a blot upon the species. […] We say, ‘No more.’ Imprisonment is slavery. Like slavery, it was imposed on a class of people by those on top. Prisons will fall when their foundation is exposed.”

By 1979, PREAP’s work had shifted toward society’s responses to sexual violence, leading to the establishment of the Safer Society Program in 1974, which Knopp directed until 1993.

A Philosophy That Continues to Guide Our Work

Knopp’s approach was guided by several core principles that remain relevant to mental health professionals today:

• Rehabilitation over punishment – She advocated for addressing the root causes of harmful behavior rather than simply warehousing offenders.
• Comprehensive responses to sexual violence – Knopp recognized that effective prevention requires attending to perpetrators, supporting victims, and working toward primary prevention.
• Non-violence – Guided by Gandhian principles, she believed that responding to violence with punitive measures perpetuated cycles of harm.
• Feminist perspective – Her work embraced the feminist understanding that addressing violence requires examining and changing systemic factors, not just individual behaviors

What Mental Health Professionals Can Learn from Knopp’s Approach

For social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals working with individuals who have experienced sexual harm or those who have engaged in sexually harmful behaviors, Knopp’s perspective offers valuable insights:

• Look beyond labels and formal charges – As our Human Trafficking Month blog post highlighted, understanding behaviors rather than focusing solely on criminal charges provides a more complete picture of the individuals we serve.
• Consider the whole person in their environment – Similar to the “person-in-environment” social work perspective discussed in our Social Work Month blog post, Knopp emphasized understanding individuals within their broader social context.
• Balance accountability with compassion – Effective treatment requires holding individuals accountable while recognizing their capacity for change and growth.
• Advocate for systemic change – Individual treatment is necessary but insufficient; professionals must also work toward policy reforms that address root causes.

Carrying Forward Knopp’s Vision

Today, Safer Society continues Knopp’s legacy through our commitment to “harness the power of knowledge, compassion, and innovation to create a world free from sexual and social violence.” Our work spans several dimensions:

• Safer Society Press – Publishing books and guidebooks for individuals with sexual behavior problems, survivors, and professionals.
• Continuing Education Center – Providing online trainings, webinars, and other educational opportunities for mental health professionals.
• The Fay Honey Knopp Learning Initiative – Providing free access to Continuing Education Center trainings for qualified mental health professionals in the field of sexual and social violence.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we invite mental health professionals to reflect on how Fay Honey Knopp’s pioneering work continues to inform approaches to sexual violence prevention and treatment. Her vision reminds us that creating lasting change requires addressing both individual behaviors and the social conditions that contribute to violence.

You can help ensure her impact continues. By supporting the Fay Honey Knopp Learning Initiative, you’ll empower the next generation of mental health professionals to carry forward her impactful work. Our goal? Raise $20,000 in 2025 to provide 80 dedicated professionals with crucial development opportunities. Your contribution, no matter the size, will help create a safer, more compassionate society—a fitting tribute to Knopp’s enduring vision.

Click here to donate!

For those interested in exploring Knopp’s ideas further, her book Instead of Prisons: A Handbook for Abolitionists is available here on the Prison Policy Initiative site.

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Image attributions:

• Mae Jemison: NASA – NASA Image and Video Library
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Franmarie Metzler; U.S. House Office of Photography, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
• Tina Tchen: Aubrey Gemignani, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons