About Us
Sisters S.O.S. was established in June 2004 and held its first meeting on July 16. Four adult women and a teenage girl were its first attendees. Since then, the non-profit organization has increase in attendance of monthly meetings and yearly conference. Since the beginning, Sisters S.O.S. has sponsored the Annual Women’s Safety Conference and Expo featuring nationally recognized keynote speakers including Star Parker and Carolyn Thomas, among others.
The mission of Sisters S.O.S. is to provide women with information, tools and training essential for a safe and secure life. The vision of Sister’s S.O.S is to prepare women today and future generations of women with a safety plan of action that will help them avoid danger if possible, defend themselves if necessary and most importantly, know how to survive unsafe situations.
Sisters S.O.S. stresses personal safety for women so they can combat crimes of opportunity; domestic violence and child abuse. According to startling statistics, one out of three American women reports abuse at some point in her lifetime. Surveys show that a third of all injured women who visit an emergency room are not hurt on accident. Most visits result from deliberate, premeditated acts of violence and frequently they occur over and over until the woman is killed. (Dr. Kevin Fullin, American Medical Association, Times Magazine).
Throughout the year, Sisters S.O.S. holds seminars, workshops, field trips, and monthly network events. These programs are open to female adults and youth accompanied by a responsible female adult. Experts representing local companies, churches and organizations often deliver thought-provoking messages as part of The Sisters S.O.S. Speaker’s Bank. Sisters S.O.S. family events are opened to both male and females, young and old. Most of Sisters S.O.S. programs are offered free of charge, while, on occasion, donations or a nominal fee are requested.
Another of the core objectives of Sisters S.O.S. is opening doors that will establish other women safety think tanks throughout Texas and the United States.
The Founder
Elsie Allen
Founder/Executive Director
Elsie Allen, a former Fort Worth police officer, has never really been “off the job.” Ms. Allen has made public safety a personal mission. Before becoming a police officer, Elsie was victim to domestic violence without even knowing how to define it or what it was called.
Although she no longer walks a beat, Elsie has become an insightful speaker that carries a message about safety and security that everyone needs to hear. She is credited with inspiring people from all walks of life through her workshops, seminars and keynote addresses. Participants’ learning experience is only enhanced by Elsie’s skilled delivery infused with humor, sensitivity and inspiring stories. Heart-broken by the increase of violent crimes and vicious attacks on women and girls, Ms. Allen said, “I am constrained by the love of God to speak up and make a safe difference for all women.”
Elsie serves on the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and is a recruiter/background investigator for a major government contractor. Over the years, she has been a member of the Appraisal Review Board for Tarrant County, East Fort Worth Business Association, the Fort Worth Black Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Women Entrepreneurs, and the African-American Women’s Network.
Ms. Allen is a member of the House of Praise Community Church, where she serves on the ministerial staff and the praise team. Elsie is the proud mother of one son, whom she calls her gift and joy from God.