Building a Justice System Survivors Can Trust with Gretta Gardner

When I first launched Clover, I made a mental list of women I knew I wanted to reconnect with and bring onto the show. Gretta Gardner was at the top of that list. Gretta and I first met years ago when we both lived in Austin, and I've watched her career with admiration ever since. Today, she serves as Chief Operations Officer at Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, where she works to improve policies, systems, and responses for survivors across the country. Our conversation went far beyond career milestones. We talked about what it means to carry the weight of difficult work for decades, how women build authority in rooms where they're often underestimated, why culturally specific services matter, and what keeps Gretta hopeful despite spending her career confronting some of society's hardest realities. In this episode, we discuss: Gretta's unexpected journey from planning a career focused on educational equity to becoming one of the country's leading voices in domestic violence policy. Why equal access to justice isn't the same as equitable access; and what still needs to change for Black women and other marginalized survivors. Why meaningful systems change requires both frontline experience and policy work; and why theory alone is never enough. The critical role culturally specific organizations play in ensuring survivors receive equitable support, protection, and justice. Why close friendships, mentorship, and community are essential for women carrying the weight of leadership. What gives Gretta hope after more than 30 years working to end violence against women; and why she believes the next generation is changing the conversation in important ways. Resources Mentioned Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) :::