WVCADV Awards
Every October, WVCADV confers a number of awards for those who’ve gone above and beyond in their pursuit of supporting survivors, seeking survivor justice, working to remove barriers so survivors can access services, and more. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of all our award winners.
Continue reading to learn more about this year’s winners, the WVCADV awards, and who won them in previous years.
Kenyatta Grant
Visibility Award
Prior to becoming Co-director at Shoulder to Shoulder, Kenyatta Coleman Grant worked at WVCADV for 23 years as the Community Organizing Coordinator, where she raised awareness of the impact of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in underserved communities.
She also serves on the Charleston YWCA Board of Directors and the West Virginia Women’s Commission. Kenyatta received her Bachelor of Arts from Marshall University and her Master of Science Marshall Graduate College.
In her spare time, she enjoys teaching cheerleading/tumbling and spending time with her family.
Lori Fleagle
Pinnacle Award
Bio coming soon.
Sara Fincham
Visibility Award
Sara Fincham has worked for the past 12 years in the field of violence response and prevention. A graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College, Sara worked at community-based domestic and sexual violence centers for seven years, at the state sexual assault coalition for five years, and at WVCADV before becoming Co-director at Shoulder to Shoulder.
Finding ways to address the root causes of violence, and prioritizing trauma-informed advocacy for underserved communities are just two of Sara’s passions.
Other passions include eating chocolate and camping with her family.
Julie Britton
Diane Reese Advocacy Award
Julie Britton is the Director of the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program in Charleston, and also serves on the WVCADV Board. In her career, she’s served as Development Director with the WV Coalition for People with HIV/AIDS, as Housing Specialist through the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. and as Victim’s Advocate for the WV Division of Corrections before moving to the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program.
Under her leadership, Resolve has expanded services to include sheltering men and pets, launched a pilot program for remote protective order hearings, and embraced a housing-first approach. A graduate of West Virginia State University, she lives in South Charleston with her son Tripp, two dogs, and two cats.
Sara Blevins O’Toole
Diane Reese Advocacy Award
Sara Blevins O’Toole is a certified domestic violence advocate at Branches Domestic Violence Shelter where she works as the Director of Development. Sara has a long history of community organizing, collective impact and prevention work in the non-profit sector.
Sara sits on the advisory council for Shoulder to Shoulder, and has also worked with the Coalition to develop strategic planning for the long term.
Dr. Javier Cárdenas
Purple Ribbon Award
Dr. Javier Cárdenas is a nationally recognized leader in neurology, concussion, and traumatic brain injury. He recently joined the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute as chief of the Division of Sports Neurology. He also serves as professor of Neurology and holds the Ludwig Gutmann Endowed Chair. His new program at the Rockefeller Institute prioritizes survivors.
Dr. Cárdenas previously founded and directed the Concussion and Brain Injury Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute.
Board certified in neurology and brain injury medicine, he serves as vice chair of the NFL’s Head, Neck, and Spine Committee, senior advisor for the NFL Concussion Program.
Rabbi Joe Blair
Purple Ribbon Award
Rabbi Joe Blair serves as the rabbi and spiritual leader of Temple Israel in Charleston, West Virginia, where he’s dedicated to nurturing a strong, vibrant faith community and building connections throughout the wider region.
A graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, he’s held pulpits, taught in religious and Hebrew schools, been an instructor for WVU OLLI courses, and served as Exec. Director at both Duke University Hillel and the University of Virginia Hillel.
In addition to his congregational work, Rabbi Blair served as Dean of Administration and instructor for the Gamliel Institute, was a member of the board of Kavod v’Nichum, and was a principal at Jewish Values Online acting as the administrator and serving as a panelist. He’s currently on the board of directors of the Jewish Association for Death Education (JADE), serving as the Bylaws and Governance Committee Chair. He also serves as a member of the board of the West Virginia Charleston Regional Area FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association.
Over the past two years he’s been engaged with WVCADV as a Faith leader, learning through the programs offered, and working with staff and advocates, while seeking to increase understanding, interaction, and effectiveness across the roles and boundaries of all parties working in this arena.
Weave WV Project Team
Purple Ribbon Award
The Weave WV Project addresses how substance use disorder interacts with intimate partner violence.
Intimate partner violence is a major barrier to healthcare and social services that often prevents survivors from seeking support. This project builds on West Virginia’s existing statewide networks by training front-line providers.
Team members include…
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health
Marshall University Center of Excellence For Recovery
West Virginia Perinatal Partnership
Bureau for Behavioral Health, West Virginia Department of Human Services
Support our work
WVCADV LIFT Store
You can support the work of the coalition and bring quiet lifelines to survivors across the state by patronizing the LIFT shop.
Rev. Edward Thompson
Purple Ribbon Award
Reverend Ed Thompson, retired, was the General Presbyter of the Presbytery of West Virginia. His job description described him as the “facilitator of mission, ministry, and relationship.” He worked with pastor nominating committees and with churches facing transition.
The Reverend is glad to come talk about the “state of the presbytery,” sharing statistics on congregational size, pastoral leadership, and expectations for part-time pastors.
Reverend Thompson has more than 35years of pastoral experience, 14 of them here in West Virginia.
Interested? The Inspiration Luncheon is open to the public, and tickets are available.
Learn More About the Awards
… and see previous winners
Visibility Award
Dedicated champion
One award is conferred annually
The Visibility Award is awarded to those who’ve shown exemplary service underserved communities. With this award, we recognize our colleagues who have committed themselves to bringing the voices and needs of underserved communities to the forefront. Visibility goes beyond making the unseen seen, and the unheard heard. To be dedicated to underserved people is to be dedicated to respect, dignity, and humanity.
2024
- Shanté Ellis
2023
- Ashley Williams
The Purple Ribbon Award is given in public recognition to individuals or organizations who, during the previous year, have been outstanding in their commitment to working in collaboration with WVCADV. The award honors those who have gone beyond their professional obligations, who have taken practical and statewide actions to decrease violence and abuse and increase respect and safety intimate partner relationships.
2024
- Edwin C Bennett
- Senator Ryan Weld
- Marty Hatfield
2023
- Shoulder to Shoulder Advisory Council
- Sergeant Heather Grimmett
2022
- Ripley Varela
- Dave McMahon
- WV Aware
2020
- Thomas Bunnell
- Scott Cosco
- Alice Hamilton
- Frank Hartman
- Erica Walker
Diane Reese Award
Determined advocacy
One or two awards are conferred annually
The Diane Reese Advocacy Award is given in loving memory of the spirited life of Diane Reese who served for 14 years as a Team Coordinator of the Coalition. Diane’s vision, determination, knowledge, and skill helped lay the strong organizational foundation upon which the Coalition currently rests.
- 2024 – Alexia Jennings
- 2023 – Amber Ross Chapman
- 2021 – Maria Madariaga
- 2020 – Amanda Weiss-McComas & Katie Spriggs
- 2019- Celena Roby & Kimberly Tyler-Stirling
- 2018 – Shannon Petree
- 2017 – Kenosha Davenport
- 2016 – Megan Halstead
- 2015 – Lynda Jensen
- 2014 – Lois Manns
- 2013 – Marcia Drake
- 2012 – Lorraine Pritchard
- 2011 – Tina Manns
- 2010 – Victoria Bradshaw
- 2009 – Sarah Kingston
- 2008 – Juanita “Susie” Reed
- 2007 – Gloria Martin
- 2006 – Sherry Hatfield
- 2005 – Pat Daniels
- 2004 – Judy King Smith
- 2003 – Trudy Laurenson
- 2002 – Sharon Walden
Pinnacle Award
Statewide impact
One or two awards are conferred annually
The Pinnacle Award is given to a WV Advocate who has gone beyond their professional commitment through practical and statewide actions to increase safety, raise public awareness, and create hope for change at personal, public, and institutional levels.
2024
- Cathy Durr
2023
- Rita Allender
2022
- Michelle McCord
- Linda Farmer
2020
- Belinda Hopkins
