Sonja Willmert, president of the Southern Minnesota Women of Worth organization, founded an organization to help domestic abuse survivors 20 years ago.

Violence Free Minnesota reported 37 intimate partner homicides in 2023 – the most the organization has recorded in a decade.

On average, the state sees 25 intimate partner homicides per year, which is still too many.

Sonja Willmert, president of the Southern Minnesota Women of Worth (WoW) organization, seeks to change that number.

Willmert founded Faribault County WoW 20 years ago with the goal of helping area victims of domestic abuse.

The organization evolved in some respects over the years. It became incorporated in 2011, and it became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2015. The same year, the organization also adopted its current title: Southern Minnesota WoW.

However, Willmert says that WoW’s mission has remained the same ever since the first WoW committee drafted it in 2004.

The WoW mantra states, “I am a woman of worth. Southern Minnesota Women of Worth shall be for the good and betterment of families of rural southern Minnesota through continued education about abuse, neglect and violence that takes place in the rural area, along with financial support of programs designed to help all victims of abuse.”

The original committee included Willmert, as well as Marcia Milbrandt, Linda Steinhauer, Gayle Jones and Carol Scovill. Willmert credits those women with helping her turn an idea of what WoW could be into a reality.

“I couldn’t do it alone,” she reasons. “In 2004, it was an idea, a mission of mine. As a victim of domestic violence, I can relate to what women go through. I decided there needed to be something here to help women in those situations.”

Apart from empathy, Willmer also brought years of practical experience working with survivors of domestic abuse and with nonprofit organizations to her vision.

Before moving to the Faribault County area, Willmert resided in Oklahoma City, where she managed a clinic at Southside Radiology Incorporated for roughly 28 years.

“I had a couple of situations at the clinic (involving domestic violence),” Willmert explains.

She gained volunteer experience through her membership on the Lutheran Board of Social Services in Oklahoma and the Wartburg Seminary Service Board in Dubuque, Iowa.

“I’ve had a wide range of exposure to different boards and services, and how they operate,” she summarizes.

Willmert, who is a Bricelyn High School graduate, returned to the area in 1997 to take care of her parents. She later settled down on a farm near Buffalo Center, Iowa, where she lives with her husband, Harley Willmert.

A busy bee by nature, Willmert was soon on the lookout for something to do in her new community.

“I firmly believe that everyone should look at the community and say, ‘What can I do to make a lasting impression?'” she explains. “I wanted to do something for the community based on what my prior experience had been.”

Also a big believer in following your passion, Willmert, along with the original WoW committee members, explored ways she could assist victims of domestic violence in the area.

“It took us a while to figure out what we could do, and how we could get funding,” Willmert recalls.

Twenty years later, however, WoW has found its niche in partnering with area organizations, or advocates, which provide services to survivors. WoW supplies funding to its advocates, which then allocate the funds to clients as needed.

Currently, WoW’s biggest advocates include CADA, the Women’s Rural Advocacy Program (WRAP) and the Southwest Crisis Center.

“We don’t always know the names of people we work with,” Willmert explains. “We can’t do it all. We’re primarily the financial piece – that’s why we work together (with advocates).”

Apart from raising funds for survivors, WoW also seeks to spread the word about existing services to combat domestic violence.

As part of that mission, each year WoW holds its annual Expo to draw attention to its cause.

“We want people to be aware that there is an organization out there like ours,” Willmert says. “The Expo is our main fundraiser, but it’s also to raise awareness.”

The Expo is a vendor fair which invites local vendors to sell their wares to attendees. However, its programming also includes other fun and uplifting activities like inspiring speakers and an annual makeover reveal, in which local women are selected for the honor of receiving a complimentary, head-to-toe makeover.

Apart from the Expo, WoW receives much of its funding from dedicated donors.

“We have a few individuals who have earmarked us for donations,” Willmert says. “Like any organization, if you believe in what they’re doing, that’s where your funds go.”

WoW was able to begin raising funds in 2016 after it became a nonprofit organization. Since then, between 2016 and 2023, the organization has raised a cumulative $49,674.87 to be allocated to survivors of domestic abuse. $6,092.63 of those funds were raised in 2023 alone.

“It varies from year to year, depending on need,” Willmert explains. “Every year is different.”

Apart from fundraising, Willmert says WoW’s future interests include creating a safe space where victims of domestic abuse can go for care and safety.

“Our first concern is getting women out of that situation,” Willmert clarifies. “Making sure women are safe is our first priority, and it takes funding.”

She adds, “It may fall to younger (WoW) members to keep the organization going.”

The current WoW committee includes Willmert, vice president Kristin Woodwick, secretary Cris Schug and co-treasurers Merry McGowen and Julie Newman.

Also on the committee are Heather Hernandez, Karen Dressler, Tasha Walker, Jesica Rios, Mary Gustafson, Misty Wolf and Missy Fellion.

“Each woman has their area they work in,” Willmert explains. For example, Fellion, a member of the Blue Earth Police Department, works directly with domestic abuse victims. Hernandez and Dressler are teachers at Blue Earth Area School District, and Wolf is a photographer.

Willmert notes that WoW is always interested in welcoming new committee members, and those who are interested in joining can contact her at 507-526-3201, or by email.

Data provided by organizations like Violence Free Minnesota motivates Willmert to continue fighting domestic violence through her work with WoW.

“This number, 37 (intimate partner homicides), is too high,” she says. “None have been in Faribault County, and we’re doing whatever we can to prevent that. This is a working organization, and in starting it that was my focus.”

Willmert concludes with some advice: “If you see something, say something to somebody you can trust – to somebody who can understand the situation.”