History of the Sego Lily
Center for the Abused Deaf
Compiled and Written by Jodi Christel Becker
Written by Joene Nicolaisen & Stephanie Lowder Mathis
Published in 2014
Updated in 2026
Written by Joene Nicolaisen & Stephanie Lowder Mathis
Published in 2014
Updated in 2026
Author's Note
While attending graduate school at Gallaudet University, I learned of the tragic death of Penny Williams, who was killed by her former husband. The news deeply affected the Utah Deaf community and brought increased attention to the need for services and support for Deaf individuals experiencing domestic violence.
In the years that followed, community leaders and advocates worked to establish the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf, an organization dedicated to providing support, resources, and advocacy for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals affected by abuse.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the individuals who helped establish and sustain the Sego Lily Center, as well as those who have worked to preserve its history. In particular, I would like to thank Joene Nicolaisen and Stephanie Lowder Mathis for their efforts in documenting this important chapter of Utah Deaf history.
The history of the Sego Lily Center reflects the commitment of community members who recognized a critical need and worked to create services that continue to benefit Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals throughout Utah. Their contributions remain an important part of Utah Deaf history.
Jodi Christel Becker
In the years that followed, community leaders and advocates worked to establish the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf, an organization dedicated to providing support, resources, and advocacy for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals affected by abuse.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the individuals who helped establish and sustain the Sego Lily Center, as well as those who have worked to preserve its history. In particular, I would like to thank Joene Nicolaisen and Stephanie Lowder Mathis for their efforts in documenting this important chapter of Utah Deaf history.
The history of the Sego Lily Center reflects the commitment of community members who recognized a critical need and worked to create services that continue to benefit Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals throughout Utah. Their contributions remain an important part of Utah Deaf history.
Jodi Christel Becker
The Unexpected Passing
of Penny Williams
of Penny Williams
On September 14, 1999, Penny Karen Williams, a vibrant young Deaf woman preparing to begin a new chapter in her life, tragically lost her life. Born on October 20, 1966, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Deaf parents, Norman Bryan Williams and Karen Ethel Bird, Penny grew up in West Jordan, Utah, and graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1983.
Penny was a well-known and respected member of Utah's Deaf community. After overcoming substance abuse challenges, she was rebuilding her life and studying psychology at the University of Utah. Her goal was to become a substance abuse counselor and help others in the Deaf community.
After enduring less than a year of domestic violence, Penny was murdered by her estranged husband, who was also Deaf. Communication barriers, limited resources, and a lack of accessible safety services exposed serious gaps in protections available to Deaf survivors of domestic violence. Her death shocked Utah's Deaf community and brought greater attention to the unique challenges Deaf individuals faced when seeking safety and assistance.
Penny was a well-known and respected member of Utah's Deaf community. After overcoming substance abuse challenges, she was rebuilding her life and studying psychology at the University of Utah. Her goal was to become a substance abuse counselor and help others in the Deaf community.
After enduring less than a year of domestic violence, Penny was murdered by her estranged husband, who was also Deaf. Communication barriers, limited resources, and a lack of accessible safety services exposed serious gaps in protections available to Deaf survivors of domestic violence. Her death shocked Utah's Deaf community and brought greater attention to the unique challenges Deaf individuals faced when seeking safety and assistance.
Following Penny's death, members of the Utah Deaf community asked difficult but necessary questions. They wondered whether similar tragedies could happen again and what could be done to prevent them. These discussions ultimately inspired community members to seek solutions and develop resources specifically for Deaf survivors of abuse.
Penny's tragic death became a catalyst for change. In the spring of 2000, the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf was established to provide culturally and linguistically accessible services, advocacy, and education for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals throughout Utah.
Penny's tragic death became a catalyst for change. In the spring of 2000, the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf was established to provide culturally and linguistically accessible services, advocacy, and education for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals throughout Utah.
Marilyn Smith Offers Assistance
During the winter of 1999, Marilyn Smith, Executive Director of Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services (ADWAS) in Seattle, Washington, contacted Annette Stewart, a licensed clinical social worker at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
ADWAS had been founded approximately two decades earlier following the murder of a Deaf woman in Seattle. Through her work as a counselor and advocate, Marilyn understood the many barriers Deaf survivors often faced when seeking assistance from shelters, law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, and the court system.
As both a Deaf woman and survivor of sexual assault, Marilyn recognized the need for culturally accessible services delivered by individuals who understood Deaf culture and American Sign Language. In response, she helped create a nonprofit advocacy organization that served Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind women and children in a barrier-free environment operated by and for Deaf individuals.
Her outreach to Utah came at a critical time and helped lay the foundation for future advocacy efforts.
ADWAS had been founded approximately two decades earlier following the murder of a Deaf woman in Seattle. Through her work as a counselor and advocate, Marilyn understood the many barriers Deaf survivors often faced when seeking assistance from shelters, law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, and the court system.
As both a Deaf woman and survivor of sexual assault, Marilyn recognized the need for culturally accessible services delivered by individuals who understood Deaf culture and American Sign Language. In response, she helped create a nonprofit advocacy organization that served Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind women and children in a barrier-free environment operated by and for Deaf individuals.
Her outreach to Utah came at a critical time and helped lay the foundation for future advocacy efforts.
The Abused Deaf Women's
Advocacy Services Training
Advocacy Services Training
In 1998, the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women awarded Marilyn Smith a federal grant to replicate the successful ADWAS model in fifteen locations throughout the United States.
Recognizing an opportunity to address unmet needs in Utah's Deaf community, Annette Stewart contacted Marilyn and requested participation in the program. Utah was selected to send five Deaf and hard-of-hearing women to Seattle for a week-long training program in the spring of 2000.
The participants included Linda Berness, Christy Layton, Kristi Mortensen, Eleanor McCowan, and Joene Nicolaisen. Alongside participants from other states, they received intensive training on domestic violence advocacy, board development, organizational planning, fundraising, and survivor support services.
The goal of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish advocacy organizations in their home states that would serve Deaf survivors in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways.
After years of effort, ADWAS celebrated the successful establishment of 15 sister agencies throughout the country, including Utah's future advocacy organization.
Recognizing an opportunity to address unmet needs in Utah's Deaf community, Annette Stewart contacted Marilyn and requested participation in the program. Utah was selected to send five Deaf and hard-of-hearing women to Seattle for a week-long training program in the spring of 2000.
The participants included Linda Berness, Christy Layton, Kristi Mortensen, Eleanor McCowan, and Joene Nicolaisen. Alongside participants from other states, they received intensive training on domestic violence advocacy, board development, organizational planning, fundraising, and survivor support services.
The goal of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish advocacy organizations in their home states that would serve Deaf survivors in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways.
After years of effort, ADWAS celebrated the successful establishment of 15 sister agencies throughout the country, including Utah's future advocacy organization.
The Establishment of
Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf
Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf
In 2000, Linda Berness, Christy Layton, Kristi Mortensen, Eleanor McCowan, and Joene Nicolaisen founded the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf (SLCAD).
Motivated by the lessons learned through the ADWAS training program and by the tragedy surrounding Penny Williams' death, members of Utah's Deaf community united to establish a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to supporting Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The organization's founding represented a powerful commitment to ensuring that Deaf survivors would have access to resources and advocacy services designed specifically for their needs.
Motivated by the lessons learned through the ADWAS training program and by the tragedy surrounding Penny Williams' death, members of Utah's Deaf community united to establish a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to supporting Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The organization's founding represented a powerful commitment to ensuring that Deaf survivors would have access to resources and advocacy services designed specifically for their needs.
The Inspiration of the Utah State Flower, Sego Lily
The organization was named after Utah's state flower, the Sego Lily. The flower symbolizes resilience, perseverance, and survival under difficult circumstances, qualities that reflect the experiences of many abuse survivors.
Like the Sego Lily, survivors often demonstrate remarkable strength while overcoming adversity and rebuilding their lives.
Since its founding, SLCAD has assisted an average of thirty to sixty survivors and their family members each year. The organization also provides education and training for police officers, shelter staff, interpreters, attorneys, and other professionals on how to make services more accessible and responsive to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals.
In addition, SLCAD has sponsored outreach, prevention, and awareness activities, including Deaf Women's Day and Safety Fair events, helping share information about abuse prevention and available resources throughout Utah's Deaf community.
Like the Sego Lily, survivors often demonstrate remarkable strength while overcoming adversity and rebuilding their lives.
Since its founding, SLCAD has assisted an average of thirty to sixty survivors and their family members each year. The organization also provides education and training for police officers, shelter staff, interpreters, attorneys, and other professionals on how to make services more accessible and responsive to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals.
In addition, SLCAD has sponsored outreach, prevention, and awareness activities, including Deaf Women's Day and Safety Fair events, helping share information about abuse prevention and available resources throughout Utah's Deaf community.
Director Joene Nicolaisen receives
the Utah Governor's Award for
Excellence in Public Service
the Utah Governor's Award for
Excellence in Public Service
Between 2000 and 2006, SLCAD operated primarily through a pager system and the dedication of volunteer advocates. Although the organization lacked funding for office space and paid staff, volunteers worked tirelessly to provide services and support to survivors.
In 2006, a private donation enabled SLCAD to establish its first office, marking an important milestone in the organization's development.
In 2007, SLCAD received substantial federal funding from the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women. This support allowed the organization to expand services into nine rural Utah counties, hire paid staff, and develop a comprehensive outreach program focused on serving Deaf survivors in rural communities.
The organization's accomplishments received statewide recognition in June 2008 when former Executive Director Joene Nicolaisen received the Utah Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service. The award honored her leadership and highlighted the importance of SLCAD's work throughout Utah.
In 2006, a private donation enabled SLCAD to establish its first office, marking an important milestone in the organization's development.
In 2007, SLCAD received substantial federal funding from the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women. This support allowed the organization to expand services into nine rural Utah counties, hire paid staff, and develop a comprehensive outreach program focused on serving Deaf survivors in rural communities.
The organization's accomplishments received statewide recognition in June 2008 when former Executive Director Joene Nicolaisen received the Utah Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service. The award honored her leadership and highlighted the importance of SLCAD's work throughout Utah.
Stephanie Lowder Mathis Joins
the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf Agency
the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf Agency
In 2007, Stephanie Lowder Mathis joined SLCAD as Director of the Rural Program. During this period, trained volunteer advocates continued serving Deaf survivors in areas beyond those covered by the Rural Grant, including communities along the Wasatch Front.
The dedication of volunteers and board members allowed Joene Nicolaisen to continue serving as volunteer Executive Director until December 2011. In January 2012, Stephanie Lowder Mathis became Executive Director and served in the role until 2020. After her resignation, Erin Kelly stepped into the role and has worked for the agency since.
The dedication of volunteers and board members allowed Joene Nicolaisen to continue serving as volunteer Executive Director until December 2011. In January 2012, Stephanie Lowder Mathis became Executive Director and served in the role until 2020. After her resignation, Erin Kelly stepped into the role and has worked for the agency since.
SLCAD continued its mission of providing culturally accessible services, advocacy, and education to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals. The organization emphasized survivor empowerment, informed decision-making, and communication that respected both Deaf culture and American Sign Language.
With advocates and volunteers fluent in ASL and a governing board composed primarily of Deaf and Hard of Hearing members, SLCAD has remained committed to ensuring that all services are both culturally and linguistically appropriate.
Its long-term goals include:
Through advocacy, education, outreach, and survivor support, the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf continues to strengthen and empower Utah's Deaf community.
For additional information about the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf, please visit the organization's website: https://segolily.org/
With advocates and volunteers fluent in ASL and a governing board composed primarily of Deaf and Hard of Hearing members, SLCAD has remained committed to ensuring that all services are both culturally and linguistically appropriate.
Its long-term goals include:
- Building an accessible shelter.
- Expanding counseling services.
- Providing continuing education workshops in schools and community centers.
- Offering positive parenting programs.
- Developing specialized programs for children and teenagers.
Through advocacy, education, outreach, and survivor support, the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf continues to strengthen and empower Utah's Deaf community.
For additional information about the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf, please visit the organization's website: https://segolily.org/
SLCAD Historical Timeline
- September 1999: Penny Williams dies at the hand of her ex-husband.
- Winter 1999: Utah is invited to ADWAS for training to set up services in Utah.
- April 2000: five Deaf women traveled Seattle to receive training from ADWAS.
- June 2000: SLCAD is established as a 501c3 non-profit agency.
- Fall 2000: SLCAD served their first victim.
- March 2006: SLCAD opens their first office in Murray, Utah.
- October 2007: SLCAD is awarded the Rural Grant from the Department of Justice under the Office of Violence against Women.
- May – Oct 2008: SLCAD hired their first staff members.
- June 2008: Joene Nicolaisen, Ex. Director received the Utah Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service for her work with SLCAD.
- June 2008: SLCAD is honored with an award from the Utah Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (UTRID) for their outstanding community service in providing support to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing victims and survivors of abuse.
- October 2009: SLCAD was awarded the Rural Grant from the Department of Justice under the Office of Violence against Women.
- February 2010: SLCAD partnered with the Southern Utah Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs (SUDHHP) to reach out to more victims and survivors in the rural areas of the Southern Utah region. SLCAD was given an office space to provide services. Grant Pemberton was hired as Southern Utah Advocate Coordinator.
- July 2010: SLCAD was awarded the Victim of Crime Acts Grant from Utah Office for Victims of Crime.
- October 2010: SLCAD hosted the Justice for Victims National Coalition Conference in SLC, Utah where 15 sister agencies representatives were in attendance. SLCAD is awarded the Legal Assistance for Victims grant under the Dept. of Justice under the Office of Violence against Women.
- October 2011: SLCAD is again awarded the Rural Grant from the Dept. of Justice under the Office of Violence against Women.
- December 2011: Joene Nicolaisen, after 11 years of dedicated services, retires from SLCAD.
- August 2012: Stephanie Lowder Mathis, Executive Director receives the community member award from the Utah Registry of Interpreters.
- September 2012: SLCAD partnered with the Family Justice Center of Salt Lake City (FJC) who just opened their brand new building. The partnership included providing SLCAD an office space to provide a wraparound service for Deaf, DeafBlind and HH survivors. FJC also provided space for local community partner agencies such as the Salt Lake Police department, Department of Workforce Services, Legal Aid Society and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. SLCAD advocates attended their staff and partnership meetings monthly.
- June 2013: SLCAD receives a Presidential Award by the Utah Association of the Deaf.
- February 2014: SLCAD partnered with Utah Association of the Deaf to present The Vagina Monologues at the University of Utah. Local ladies and young women performed and shared stories from Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologue script in American Sign Language.
- October 2014: SLCAD hosted its very first Gala-The Purple Tie Gala at Thanksgiving Point. It was a special night where everyone came dressed up in purple attire. SLCAD was fortunate to have April Brown’s auctioneer to lead the evening with games, silent and live auctions and dessert dash.
- 2015: Sari Williams, a long time advocate for Sego Lily, received the Advocacy in Action award for her years of outstanding advocate services at the Annual Crime Victims’ Conference in Midway, Utah.
- March 2015: Sego Lily hosted its very first Deaf Ladies Expo at the Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. Many booths were set up by local Deaf organizations and Deaf women owned businesses. Fitness classes were offered throughout the day! 80 Deaf Women were in attendance!
- October 2015: SLCAD was awarded the Rural Grant from the Dept. of Justice under the Office of Violence against Women.
- October 2015: SLCAD hosted the Purple Tie Gala: Dancing with the Star at the Provo Marriott Hotel. Dancers who competed were local community members and leaders. The dancers were: Pamela Mower & Aaron Bullock, Ayas Hussain & Chrystee Davenport and Carol Macnicholl & Johnny Hill. Pamela Mower & Aaron Bullock won first place. The judges for the competition were: Ben Jarashow, Joel Coleman and Mariyln Tiller Call. We were honored to have a House of Representative at the event: Kim Coleman, representing District 42. We had silent, live and dessert auctions, and we raised $15,000.
- October 2016: SLCAD hosted the Sego Lily’s 3rd Annual Purple Tie Gala: The Mad Hatter Tea Party at the Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. The Deaf Center’s Gym was transformed by a beautiful rabbit hole that transported guests to the Mad Mad world! It was a fun filled evening that began with a mystery dinner game and hat contest. We raised $18,000.
- February 2017: SLCAD’s main office was moved to the avenues near downtown Salt Lake City. The office is located within few miles of the Family Justice Center, Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Matheson Courthouse, Capitol, Salt Lake Police Department, and Utah Domestic Violence Coalition.
- October 2017: SLCAD hosted Sego Lily’s 4th Annual Purple Tie Gala: The Wild West theme at the West Jordan Library. The evening was a night to remember! The country decor with bales of hay, large screens, a western themed photo booth, mechanical bull ride contest that created a very lively vibe! The event was hosted by our very funny and entertaining Aaron Bullock. We raised $24,000.
- October 2018: SLCAD was awarded the Rural Grant from the Dept. of Justice under the Office of Violence against Women.
- October 2018: SLCAD hosted its 5th annual Purple Tie Gala: Return of 5th (Star Wars theme) at the Utah Cultural Celebrations Center in West Valley City. Guests came dressed as their favorite character from Star Wars. The evening included activities such as costume contests, star wars themed games and entertaining masters of ceremonies, Adam Shewell and David Davenport. We raised $17,000.
- January 2019: SLCAD was awarded the Violence Against Women Acts Grants from Utah Office for Victims of Crime. SLCAD was able to have an in-house counselor for the very first time. The SLCAD therapist was granted an office space across the hall from the SLCAD main office.
- January 2019: SLCAD partners with Utah School for the Deaf and Blind (USDB) in establishing the Empowering Deaf Teen Series (EDTS). Emily Tanner the school social worker at USDB worked with SLCAD to plan workshops for students throughout the year. Topics of the EDTS' interactive workshops included healthy relationships, consent, boundaries, trauma and bullying. These topics were taught to middle and high school students at Jean Massieu School (JMS), and Kenneth Burdett School (KBS.)
- February 2019: SLCAD partnered with the Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SCDHH) to establish the Deaf LGBTQ+ activities committee with the goal of providing a safe space for the LGBTQIA community to heal from trauma. Committee members met regularly to plan activities for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and CODA LGBTQ+ individuals to meet up. The first event “Ally Night” was where all LGBTQ+ and allies met up to learn about the goal and to get their input regarding the wants and needs of the LGBTQ+ Community. Eighty-five people attended and it was indeed a successful night. Subsequent activities such as coffee night, a kickball game, and Pride Festival Breakfast kick off.
- June 2019: SLCAD hosted the very first Deaf pride “Kick-Off Brunch on Pride Weekend” at Denny’s. We had a huge turnout and enjoyed socializing and networking. SLCAD decided to keep this tradition in support of the LGBTQ+ community upcoming in the years.
- September 2019: SLCAD set up a Dream Team of presenters for training of local police. The presenters are representatives of Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and Deaf. The Hard of Hearing representatives are Chelle Wyatt and Sue Ordonez. The DeafBlind representatives are Stephen Ehrlich and John Galli. The Deaf representatives are Cj Hirsch, Erin Watkins, and Jeremy Murphy, who are employees at Sego Lily. Each presenter taught police how to work and communicate with their populations effectively. The first training was given to the South Salt Lake Police Department. The audience was law enforcement and victim advocates. The training was successful and they asked a lot of questions regarding each population. We’ve had a few police departments invite us to provide training. Our goal for this training is to provide safety and accessibility for all of our community members.
- October 2019: SLCAD hosted 6th annual Purple Tie Gala: Sego Lily is the Word! The Grease/1950s was the theme at the Utah Museum of Fine Art. We were honored to have Melissa Yingst as the Mistress of Ceremonies to lead the evening with silent, live, and dessert auctions. Many ladies came dressed as Pink Ladies! We raised $10,000.
- December 2019: Stephanie Lowder Mathis retired from the Executive Director to take on the full time counselor position for SLCAD clients.
- December 2019: Holly Parker Jensen was hired as an Executive Director.
- September 2020: Erin Kelly Watkins was hired as an Interim Executive Director.
- October 2021: SLCAD was awarded the Rural Grant from the Dept. of Justice under the Office of Violence against Women.
- January 2022: SLCAD was awarded the Communication Services for the Deaf Foundations for $12,000. This award would go to the rebranding of our logo, LGBTQ+ Hangouts and Suicide Prevention program.
- 2022: The Select Health Award program recognizes organizations that promote health and well-being, assist individuals with special needs, and support underserved populations. Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf is honored to have been chosen for their Select Health award in 2022. They donated $3,000 and a marketing package that included our banner and a YouTube video interview. This fund will be used as emergency funds for rent and utility assistance to increase clients’ feelings of success and independence in meeting their housing needs.
In loving memory of Penny Williams
and all victims of domestic violence
and all victims of domestic violence
HISTORICAL DOCUMENT
Nicolaisen, Joene (2009) & Mathis, Stephanie Lowder (2013). History of the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf. (PDF)
Community Connection Interview Featuring
the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf
March 26, 2014
the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf
March 26, 2014
Attached is a video of Tracey Christensen, host of KBYU Eleven's Community Connection, a program highlighting Utah nonprofit organizations, interviewing Stephanie Lowder Mathis of the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf on March 26, 2014. During the interview, Stephanie discussed the center's mission, services, and ongoing efforts to provide culturally and linguistically accessible advocacy, education, and support for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind survivors of abuse.
The interview highlights the impact of the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf and its continued commitment to empowering survivors, increasing community awareness, and improving access to vital services throughout Utah.
The interview highlights the impact of the Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf and its continued commitment to empowering survivors, increasing community awareness, and improving access to vital services throughout Utah.