Inspire Awards
Since 2012, Violence Free Minnesota has honored the work of advocates, allies, and volunteers from across the state with the annual presentation of the Inspire Awards. The awards are given to individuals who have demonstrated impressive dedication to the movement to end relationship violence. Violence Free Minnesota’s member programs, which include over 90 programs working to end relationship abuse across the state, participate in the nomination process; the awards are presented at Violence Free Minnesota’s state-wide meeting in September.
2023 Inspire Award Recipients
Advocate: Mercedes Moreno, University of Minnesota/Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC)
Community Leader: Lisa Marvin, Essence Property Management, Inc.
Volunteer: Daniel Newborn, Breaking Free
Achievement in Advocacy: Debra Bullock, Standpoint
Past Recipients
2013
Advocate: Mary Lou Klas, Isaiah
Volunteer: Renee Page, Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women
Ally: Dave Pinto, Ramsey County Attorney’s Office
2014
Advocate: Carol Arthur, Domestic Abuse Project
Volunteer: Daniel Newborg, Breaking Free
Ally: Virginia Merritt, Olmstead Legal Services and Women’s Shelter
2015
Advocate: Connie Sponsler, Battered Women’s Justice Project
Volunteer: Anne Detlefsen, Filmore Family Resources and Women’s Shelter
Ally: Probation Officer Andy Ypma, McLeod Alliance
2016
Advocate: Sandy Davidson, Praxis
Volunteer: Samantha Schendzielow, Alexandra House
Ally: Maplewood Chief of Police Paul Schnell, Tubman
2017
Advocate: Colleen Schmitt, Cornerstone
Volunteer: Rick Nelson, Anna Marie’s Alliance
Ally: Officer Tara Becker, 360 Communities
2018
Advocate: Erica Staab, Hope Center
Volunteer: Gerry Hackman, Women’s Shelter
Ally: Deputy Scott Finnegan, The Refuge
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2019
Advocate: Shirley Johnson, Women's Advocates
Volunteer: Sharon Knutson, Anna Marie's Alliance
Ally: Nick Settich of Renewal Laser Clinic, Breaking Free and St. Paul City Attorney’s Office
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2020
Advocate: E.B. brown, Oasis of Love
Volunteer: Tammy Ebertowski, Mid-MinnesotaWomen's Center
Ally: Minnesota Community Care (MCC), Women's Advocates
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2021
Advocate: Comfort Dondo, Phumulani
Community Leader: Jasmine Gates-D'Avilar, Stand Up! AND Anisa Omar, Ignite the Youth
Volunteer: Flint Group, Rape & Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo-Moorhead
Achievement in Advocacy: Liz Richards, former Executive Director of Violence Free Minnesota
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2022
Advocate: Marie Jefferson, Cornerstone
Community Leader: Denae Alamano, United Way of Bemidji Area (UWBA)
Volunteer: Rebecca Stone, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota
Achievement in Advocacy: Maytong Chang, Transforming Generations