In early 1984, Veronica heard a radio interview about women who were breaking up homes by leaving abusive husbands. The callousness toward women who were experiencing violence, and the blame and shame cast on them rather than the abusive husbands enraged her. A few months later, she was at a dinner party with her friend from Chicago who had a brother who was a priest, Father Pat, in Toledo. Fr. Pat mentioned a convent that had recently been donated to Sr. Rose Therese to be used as a shelter for domestic violence victims.

Veronica decided this was her moment–she would use her rage to fuel her activism. Veronica reached out to Sr. Rose Therese shortly after the dinner. Sr. asked her to choose between serving on the board or working directly with residents, so Veronica chose to offer her services as a newly sworn-in lawyer to provide legal counsel to the residents.

In the early days, Veronica met with residents for informal meetings in the multi-purpose room. She laughingly describes giving legal counsel while toddlers climbed her ankles. Participants were not required to make appointments. Instead, Veronica set a regular time each month to be available. She recalls countless horrifying stories heard during those sessions.

Veronica remembers assisting survivors with name changes, which helped women escape men who were tracking them, even after their stay at Bethany House. She sat with victims in the courtroom and created a system of safety for survivors navigating the judicial system, long-before court advocates for victims of domestic violence existed.

Veronica was sworn in as a lawyer in May 1984 and was discussing her contribution to Bethany House by June or July. After providing legal counsel to Bethany House residents for 30 years, Veronica Murphy served 2 terms on the Bethany House Board of Trustees with Deidra Lashley as Executive Director.