ENOLA, Pa., April 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In observance, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's annual Visionary Voice Award highlights individuals whose prevention work is making a significant impact in their communities. The award honors individuals working in various professions to end sexual violence and promote safe, healthy communities. Nominees are selected by state, tribal, or territory anti-sexual violence coalitions.
NSVRC announces the 2014 Visionary Voice Award winners in partnership with the following coalitions:
- Karen Lang, National recognition
- Dorinda Edmisten, Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Nancy E. O'Malley, California Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Megan Lechner, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- State Rep. Roberta B. Willis, Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services
- Nilda Serrano, Coordinadora Paz para la Mujer
- Rev. Santa CanteWi Molina Marshall, D.C. Rape Crisis Center
- Judith T. Won Pat, Ed.D., Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault & Family Violence
- Mary E. Govert, Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Sen. Thomas G. Courtney, Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Mary Stolz-Newton, Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence
- Dr. Ann L. Coker, Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs
- Erin Rhoda, Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Sandra L. Pilgrim-Lewis, Michigan Coalition To End Domestic & Sexual Violence
- The DOVES Program, Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition
- Forrest Seymour, New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
- Bill Schaefer, New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Teresa M. Matthews, Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence
- Lynn Shiner, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape
- Vickey Cornelison-Grant, South Carolina Coaliton Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
- Debbie Curtis, Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence
- Donna Kelly, Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Sammuel Sane, Virgin Islands Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Council
- Sanu Y. Dieng, Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance
- Andrea Jones, Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
- Marshall University Forensic Science Center, West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services
- Bonnie Coonen, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Jody Sanborn, Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
"The impact of these individuals and programs is vital to sexual violence prevention," said Karen Baker, NSVRC Director. "Celebrating these successes and honoring voices on a national level reminds us we can all play a role in positively changing our communities."
To learn more about Visionary Voice Award winners, visit www.nsvrc.org/saam. Founded by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape in 2000, NSVRC develops and disseminates resources regarding all aspects of sexual violence prevention and intervention.