Carolyn Bell Murphy

Carolyn Bell Murphy, a child of God since the age of ten, is the oldest of eight children born to Dwight L. and Hattie Kate Bell on August 2, 1937. She graduated from Sumter County Schools, after which she matriculated at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She obtained a B.A. Degree from Youngstown State University in Religious and Social Studies, and attended Geneva College with a focus in Organization Leadership.

She was recognized by and held membership in Who’s Who Among Colleges and Universities, Golden Key National Honor Society, the National Association for Female Executives, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Board Member of Associated Neighborhood Centers in Ohio, Board Member of Pathway Partners, Prince George’s Community College for fighting domestic violence, Youngstown State University, where she instituted a scholarship to assist domestic violence survivors, and she was nominated for an Athena Award.

Her greatest challenge was enduring domestic abuse for 46 years. She survived and became a spokesperson and tireless advocate for survivors of domestic violence.

In 1998, Carolyn Bell Murphy, founded Women of Excellence NWAS (WOE), a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, to eradicate domestic abuse. She had a vision to empower women to escape domestically violent situations. She recruited other likeminded women to carry out this vision. These women heeded the call and began a decades-long mission of helping women subjected to domestic abuse of all kinds. Men, though not the focus of the ministry, also have been helped by WOE. Specifically, the ministry has helped women and men through educational workshops, retreats, mentoring, referrals, individual counseling, financial support, and scholarships to selected colleges.

Carolyn Bell Murphy has taken her mission to Ohio, Italy, Portugal, Florida, Philadelphia, Alabama, Maryland, and Las Vegas, to name a few places.

She authored a book about her struggle against domestic violence, and she was honored by her hometown with “Carolyn Bell Murphy Day,” which took place August 5, 2017, because of her commitment to fight domestic violence.

She was honored in a poem written by Monica Y. Brewer:

Today We Honor You

You are known for entering women’s lives during their most difficult season Wanting to protect them from domestic violence was your main reason Women of all ages have become your biggest fans Grateful for your support and extending them a helping hand The amount of lives you have touched would keep one totally amazed The love you have for God has been displayed in various ways Thank you for having the courage for wanting to help others by telling your story Your testimony proves that all things work together for our good and for God’s glory You have shared with the world that your struggles and challenges were hard And you showed that all things are possible when you put your faith and trust in God Your accomplishments are gifts that came directly from God above And for all that you have done, we want to honor you, So you will know deeply you are loved.