mission
The Women’s Advocacy Initiative (WAI) is a non-profit organization founded with a dual-pronged mission. First, to promote the vital message of self-advocacy and resilience to women and girls nationally, primarily focusing on the topic of sexual assault. We aim to reduce the shame and stigma associated with sexual violence that prevents victims from coming forward or pursuing legal action against their attackers. We host seminars and “fireside chats” at secondary and higher educational institutions to promote this message and empower women and girls to use their voices.
Second, WAI aims to provide counseling and legal services at no cost for survivors of sexual assault who wish to pursue legal action or file a Title IX complaint against their assailant. We work directly with survivors to ensure they are provided the support they need every step of the way.
values
WAI aims to address a primary aspect that prevents victims of assault from coming forward: shame. Primarily, the shame that exists around women’s sexuality. We hope to ingrain the message that sexual violence is not about sex, it is simply violence in its cruelest form. Rape is about power. It is a tool, same as fists, same as a knife, used to exact violence, to establish dominance, and to inflict humiliation. Rape is a tool of war; it is a brutal act of domination enacted by the oppressor upon the oppressed. It is no different from being stabbed, yet the victim of the stabbing does not feel shame at coming forward, at naming their attacker. There is no vilification of the victim, no question as to what she was wearing or how much she had to drink. While we acknowledge that this is a vast simplification that does not take into account the lack of acceptable legal recourse provided to victims, we believe eliminating the barrier of shame will allow more victims to come forward and name their assailant. We refuse to allow women to be silenced, and despite a system that seems so designed to punish the victim rather than the perpetrator, we believe that resistance is not futile.
founding story
In my final year of undergrad, I was the "complainant" in a Title IX case. I was also what many would call the worst possible victim. I reported a year after the incident took place, drugs and alcohol were involved, there had been prior consent, and my assailant was the perfect, beloved student. I didn’t care. I didn’t care because I had learned that I was not the only victim, that he had a widely known alliterative nickname involving the word “rapist,” and that no one else had come forward.
As much as it took away from my life, I would have done it a thousand times over. I firmly believe that in choosing to pursue a Title IX complaint, despite the exhausting and brutal process, I am now able to be free. The assault was no longer simply a trauma; I was no longer the passive bystander in my own story. By choosing to take action, it was given a greater meaning beyond myself. I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to giving a voice to survivors of sexual assault, especially those who, like me, were not the “perfect victim.”
-Sheerin
our team
Founder and Chairman - Sheerin Gryloo
Women’s Advocacy Initiative was founded by Sheerin in 2023 with the goal of fighting for survivors of sexual assault and impressing the monumental importance of self-advocacy upon women. A native of Washington D.C., Sheerin graduated from the College of William & Mary with a double major in Economics and Psychology, and a minor in Art History. She has spoken to women and girls at numerous institutions on the immense value of self-advocacy, and works with colleges and universities to actively reform their Title IX processes and sexual assault prevention initiatives. For several years she has volunteered with survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault, hosting weekly virtual support groups.
Sheerin has spoken at middle and high schools in the Washington, D.C. area, sharing her own story to raise awareness and reduce stigma of mental illness and addiction. Sheerin is the co-founder and Partner of Untitled IX, a company that develops a software platform to enable accurate reporting on broader trends about sexual assault and discrimination in the United States. She also serves as the President of the Board of Nu Sass Productions, a nonprofit that promotes marginalized genders in all aspects of theater. As the daughter of Iranian immigrants, Sheerin is particularly passionate about cross cultural differences in women's advocacy and rights.
Vice-Chairman of the Board - Cadence Dobias
Born in Honolulu, Hawai'i, and raised across the United States, Cadence has seen firsthand the necessity of sustainable activism and community. She received her degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with the highest distinction. Throughout this time, she engaged in numerous women's rights organizations and worked to involve young women in the political process. It wasn't until she was assaulted during her first semester at university that her plans took a turn, and she decided to utilize her background to empower other survivors of sexual assault. From legislative advocacy campaigns across the United States to developing networks of supporters who can provide reporting assistance, she has sought to create the infrastructure and support survivors deserve. She is deeply passionate about uplifting the stories and experiences of survivors globally which has driven her professional interest in community organizing.
Director of the Board - Maura Deegan
Founder of database MyHooha.org, Maura Deegan helps trauma survivors, those who have undergone physical, mental, or emotional experiences, find trauma-informed gynecologists and better women’s healthcare.
The journey hasn’t been easy. At the age of 25, Maura had surgery after doctors found abnormal cells in her cervix. Her recovery left her feeling tired, in pain, and uncomfortable in her own body. She thought others blamed her for the illness her body had attacked her with. That she had somehow “brought it on herself.”
She was determined to help trauma survivors like herself find better healthcare advocates that were trained in post-trauma medical care. From that came MyHooha.org, a tongue-in-cheek declaration of self- care, self-worth, with the goal of advocating for women’s healthcare and trauma survivors, and encourage women to reclaim their lives after trauma.
Maura wants to ensure that young women are looking after their reproductive health. She says “People think cancer is an older person disease– that you don’t have to look out for signs of cancer when you’re young and healthy, but you do. You are your own best advocate. If I can encourage trauma survivors to feel comfortable enough to go get a routine pap smear, one that can possibly save their lives, that is what this passion project is about.”
Maura earned her bachelor’s degree from American University in International Relations with concentrations in Peace and Conflict resolutions and European Studies. She currently works as an operations and administrative assistant for a financial risk, compliance, and investigations firm. She also has a background in corporate and social event production, planning anything from intimate dinners to multi-day, large-scale trade shows with 20,000+ attendees. Her dream event is the Grammys or a Milan Fashion week (and getting to take all the clothes home afterwards).
When Maura isn’t working, she loves to travel–32 countries and counting, go horseback riding, hike the DMV’s amazing trails, visit new brunch spots, sweat it out with a Bench Gym training session or a Pilates class, facetime her Grandmum (she’s 98!), or spend time with her dogs Sagen, a German Shepherd, Tipsy, a lab mix, and Coleslaw, a Foxypoo.
Born in DC but raised globally, Maura still thinks of the DMV as her forever home, having lived in Maryland, DC, and Virginia as well as attended high school in Mclean at The Madeira School. She is constantly being a tourist in her own city and loves exploring the museums, attending ballets at the Kennedy Center, and finding the best local wineries.
Director - Mercedes Molloy
Mercedes is a survivor, activist, and founder of Safe Squad, an app committed to providing peace of mind for young women and men across the globe. Championing for access to health care, representation in media, Molloy is looking forward to utilizing her platform to advocate for generation z as well as disenfranchised communities.
After a traumatic life event, Molloy has made it a personal mission to be a voice and provide a solution to alert mechanisms while in danger. It is her goal that the app will be a resource of armor among generation z, millennials and individuals desiring peace of mind for dear family and friends. The young activist engages in conversations to bring about positive change from a place of service and progressing culture.
Safe Squad is a SOS app that is free and available on all devices & serves as a hub of information for family and friends. In the event of danger, the app will notify the users’ alert family & friends (choose emergency contacts) on location.
Mercedes is an advocate for generation z as well as disenfranchised communities. She engages in conversations to bring about positive change from a place of service and progressing culture.
Expansion and Partnership Organizer - Julia Eden
Julia is a student studying political science who is incredibly passionate about activism and understanding the intersections of justice and equity. She believes in supporting victims and survivors of all forms of violence while working towards prevention through proper education and comprehensive policy. Prior to WAI, she worked with Diversify Our Narrative, helping to finance public art initiatives, and in feminist spaces in various capacities. Driven by an acute desire for a more equal society, she applies her knowledge across her projects, and firmly believes in the effort for deconstruction and the act of radical optimism.