40 Years, 40 Faces: Vicky

Henrico, Virginia

Five years ago, Vicky was trapped in an abusive marriage. She described her past marriage as “living his life like [I didn’t] even exist,” with no phones, no friends, no guests. She stayed because she felt her children needed stability.

With the help of VPLC, Vicky was able to get out of her abusive marriage and start living a life that honored herself and her two children. She has now completely moved on and says everything “is totally different.” Vicky no longer feels like “nothing.” In fact, she’s a member of VPLC’s Board of Directors, a valuable employee at her job, and provides her children the stability she wanted for them. Vicky is a survivor and is just now becoming comfortable with sharing her story so that she can help others find the courage to believe they, too, deserve happiness.

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“40 Years, 40 Faces” was a 2018 photography and storytelling project marking VPLC’s 40th anniversary. Photographer Glen McClure and writer Marshall McClure documented Virginians impacted by VPLC’s work, using portraits and interviews to highlight resilience, dignity, and the ongoing fight for justice.