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.
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
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.
2023: Shook, Hardy & Bacon
2022: Sullivan & Worcester
2019: Goulston & Storrs
2018: Manatt
2022: The Gymnast Sexual Assault Survivors, Accepted by Rachenda Rockwell
2021: Kamilah Willingham
Anne Ream, The Voices and Faces Project
VRLC Clients Throughout the Years