Byron Fellowship Supports New Research
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 17, 2014) — The Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Women (OPSVAW) in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences recently announced that two doctoral students in the Department of Psychology have received 2014 Mary Byron Fellowships to support their research.
Kellie Lynch will receive a Mary Byron Fellowship to support her work on the use of applied psychosocial theory in understanding perceptions of rape and victim blaming.
Jennifer (Jenna) Jewell will begin her dissertation research, which will address the victimization experiences of adolescents who are gender atypical, that is, they may not meet cultural expectations for what girls and boys are “supposed” to be like.
The fellowships are part of the Mary Byron Scholars Program established at the university in 2003 with the assistance of Carol E. Jordan, now executive director of the OPSVAW.
“It is an extraordinary opportunity to advance the careers of these young scholars while also teaching them that there are real women behind the work that they do,” said Jordan. “I believe we help give real purpose and inspiration to their academic careers in the course of honoring Mary.”
The program is named after Mary Byron, a 21-year-old woman who lived in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1993, her abusive ex-boyfriend was arrested for kidnapping and raping her. She asked local law enforcement and corrections officials to alert her when he would be released from jail as she knew how dangerous he was to her. At the time, however, no automatic alert system was available, so Byron did not receive an alert. On her 21st birthday as she was leaving work, her ex-boyfriend shot and killed her. Byron’s death led to creation of a statewide automated victim notification system.
"Hearing about the UK students whose work will be supported by fellowships in Mary’s name reminds us of what we have been able to accomplish after our great loss," her father John Byron said. "One of those students just might make a contribution that will save a woman’s life. That is our great hope."
Mary Byron's mother, Pat Byron, agreed, "I find great comfort in knowing that Kellie and Jenna, who are so close to Mary’s age, will be doing their work in her name.”