“I’m using the one thing my abuser didn’t take from me—my voice.”
In Episode 8 of The Founder’s Backroom, Lily Mae shares an incredibly personal story about surviving domestic violence, finding her voice again, and turning her pain into a mission to help other victims.
After leaving her own abusive situation, Lily says it took months to fully process the severity of what she had survived.
But another reality became clear:
Leaving an abuser does not automatically mean the danger—or the struggle—is over.
Victims may be afraid to trust law enforcement.
They may not know where they will live.
They may lack financial resources.
And without the right support, some may feel they have no option but to return to the person they escaped.
That experience helped inspire Lily to start the Montana Domestic Violence Railroad.
Her mission is to help bridge gaps in resources and support victims before, during, and after they leave an abusive relationship.
In this conversation, Lily talks about:
• Turning pain into purpose • Why leaving an abusive relationship can be only the beginning • The fear victims may experience when interacting with law enforcement • Why a lack of resources can become a life-or-death issue • The circumstances that can push victims back toward their abusers • Bridging the gap between victims, advocates, police, and available resources • Finding the courage to speak after someone has tried to silence you • Using your own story to become a voice for people who are not ready to share theirs
Lily does not pretend that speaking out erases what happened.
Instead, she has made a decision:
What happened to her will not take her voice too.
And now she is using that voice for people who may not yet have the courage, safety, or opportunity to use their own.
