2006, Friess was an appointee by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to serve on an advisory council regarding victim sensitive issues for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Friess served as the California Co-Chairperson for the successful passage of the first federal victim's rights bill which was signed by President George W. Bush in 2004. Friess has continued to serve on the Justice Department's Office of Victims Affairs Technical Training and Advisory Council since 2004. Friess was a founding board member for Laura's House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence in California, 1994, and Mothers Against Child Sexual Abuse in 1995. She was a member of the American Coalition Against Child Abuse, One Voice, California Psychological Association, and Child Abuse Listening and Mediation of Santa Barbara. She served on the WomanSage board of directors from 2011 to 2016. Friess continues to write books, facilitates a Loss of a Loved One Support group, and volunteers as a life coach and speaker for WomanSage. Awards and honors Writing awards for Cry the Darkness include: University of Irvine, Friends of the Library Author's Award, 1996, Winner - Indie Excellence Award 2014; and Honorable Mention in Paris International Book Festival, 2014. Personal life Friess married Kenneth Friess, who was active in local politics in historic San Juan Capistrano becoming a four term mayor. They had three children. Publications Women Leaders of the Movement to Stop Child Sexual Abuse. Campus: Dissertation. 1993. Cry the Darkness: One Woman's Triumph over the Tragedy of Incest, Health Communications, FL. 1993. Just Between Us: A Guide to Healing. HIH Publishing, 1995. (out of print) Whispering Waters: Historic Weesha and the Settling of , HIH Publishing, CA.1 998. A Chronicle of Historic Weesha and the . HIH Publishing, CA. 2000. Circle of Love: A Guide to Successful Relationships, 3rd Ed., HIH Publishing, CA. 2008 One Hundred Years of Weesha: Centennial 2010. HIH Publishing, CA. 2010. Cherish the Light: One Woman’s Journey from Darkness to Light. (Sequel to Cry the Darkness.) HIH Publishing, CA. 2013. The Unraveling of Shelby Forrest. A novel. HIH Publishing, CA 2014. References External links 1943 births Living people 20th-century American writers American educators Children's rights activists People from Los Angeles 20th-century American women writers 21st-century American women