Past Awardees
Each year, we acknowledge a leader in the movement to end sexual violence with the Leadership Award, an outstanding VRLC pro bono attorney with the Shining Star Award, and a VRLC client with the Courage Award. The Gala celebrates individuals who have improved the lives of sexual assault survivors through exemplary service.
Victim Rights Law Center’s Past Award Recipients
Leadership Award
2023: Roberta “Robbie” Kaplan, Esq., Attorney for E. Jean Carroll
2022: Michele Bratcher Goodwin, Author, Advocate, Professor
2021: Chanel Miller, Author, Artist, Activist
2019: Deb Katz, Esq. and Lisa Banks, Esq., Co-counsel for Dr. Christine Blasey Ford for the Justice Kavanaugh Congressional hearings
2018: Kristen Gibbons Feden, Attorney
2017: Gloria Steinem, Writer, Activist
2016: The Boston Globe Spotlight Team
2015: Lynn Rosenthal, White House Advisor on Violence Against Women
2014: Ayanna Pressley, Boston City Councilor
2013: Ashley Judd, Actress
2012: Anita Hill, Professor
2011: Niki Tsongas, U.S. Congresswoman
2011: Liz Seccuro, Author
2010: Martha Coakley, Massachusetts Attorney General
2009: Katie Hnida, NCAA Football Player and Activist
2008: Diane Patrick, First Lady of Massachusetts
2007: Susan Estrich, Political Analyst
Shining Star Award
2023: Madeleine Rodriguez, Esq. and Stephen Bartlett, Esq.
2022: Katharine Foote, Esq.
2021: Tiffany Davidson, Esq.
2019: Kristin Knuuttila, Esq.
2018: Jeremy Meisinger, Esq.
2017: Michael Harriman, Esq.
2016: Kent Sinclair, Esq.
2015: Jessica M. Walsh, Esq.
2014: Jonathan R. Allen, Esq.
2013: Eric Haskell, Esq.
2012: Thomas R. Ayres, Esq.
2011: Chris Vaughn-Martel, Esq.
2010: Greg Sieczkiewicz, PhD, JD
2009: Erin K. Higgins, Esq.
2008: Krista Green Pratt, Esq.
2007: Rebecca Cazabon, Esq.
2006: Helen Gerostathos Guyton, Esq.
2005: Paula Finley Mangum, Esq.
2004: Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC
2003: Brenda Sharton, Esq.
2002: Kristin Sbarra-Hartman, Esq.
Champion Award
2023: Shook, Hardy & Bacon
2022: Sullivan & Worcester
2019: Goulston & Storrs
2018: Manatt
Visionary Award
2022: The Gymnast Sexual Assault Survivors, Accepted by Rachenda Rockwell
2021: Kamilah Willingham
Other VRLC Awards
Anne Ream, The Voices and Faces Project
VRLC Clients Throughout the Years