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Awards and Recognition

Women Against Abuse holds the GuideStar Platinum Exchange Seal, demonstrating its commitment to transparency.

2025

  • Executive Director & President Joanna Otero-Cruz receives 6abc Philly Proud Community Leader Award

2022

  • Executive Director & President Joanna Otero-Cruz is named a 2022 Power 100 Who's Who in Latino Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Latino Convention.
  • Women Against Abuse is recognized as Organization of the Year at the First Annual Who's Who Hispanic Heritage Month Gala, presented by Hector and Jazmin Serrano.
  • Joanna Otero-Cruz receives one of the 2022 Powerful Latinas Awards, sponsored by Hispanic Media Company's Latinas Lifestyle.
  • Joanna Otero-Cruz is nominated as an Al Dia Woman of Merit!

2020

  • Legal Center Director Molly Callahan receives the Philadelphia Bar Association's Herbert R. Weiman, Sr. & Jr. Award!
  • Maria Tate, Children's Program Specialist at Sojourner House - Women Against Abuse's transitional housing program - is honored with the Innovator Award from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

2019

  • Women Against Abuse is named an Eagles Cares Partner for the 2019-2020 season!

2018

  • Mike Gallagher, Police Liaison, receives the Excellence in Male Leadership Award from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

2017

  • Executive Director Jeannine L. Lisitski recognized as a Social Innovator by the Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal Awards!
  • Rutgers-Camden's Chancellor’s Award for Civic Engagement, Community Partners category, for a research collaboration around HIV intervention for emergency safe haven residents.

2014

  • Our Education and Training Team wins Community Health Teachers of the Year!

2013

  • Legal Center Director Molly Callahan receives the Philadelphia Center City Victim Advocate Award!
  • 2013 H. Craig Lewis Good Governance Award
  • Director of Finance Christine Stevens wins Nonprofit CFO of the Year!

2012

  • 2012 Top-Rated by GreatNonprofits

2011

  • Clinical Director Eda Kauffman receives the Deb Snyder Award!
  • Executive Director Jeannine L. Lisitski receives the Brava! Women Business Achievement Award!

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Tamika 3

La Historia de Tamika

Tenía 23 años, era madre soltera y estaba embarazada de mi segunda hija. Mi prometido tenía problemas con el consumo de alcohol y recibí muchos golpes y moretones hasta que nació nuestra hija. Me di cuenta de que si no me iba, mis hijas no me verían como una persona fuerte.

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Sheila

Sheila’s Story

Sheila arrived at the Women Against Abuse Emergency Shelter after waking up in a hospital emergency room.

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Sarah’s Story

Sarah joined Women Against Abuse in September 2010 through a partnership program with the German peace and volunteer organization ARSP.

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Trevor's Story

Trevor is a college student and advocate who shared his story at our 2018 iPledge Campaign press conference.

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Candace's Story

When people consider domestic violence (DV), they often think of the adult victim/survivor. But what about the children who have seen or experienced the abuse; the boys, girls and young adults who have been afraid in their own home? Candace, who worked as a therapist at Women Against Abuse, witnessed her mother being abused for many years, is choosing to share her story to shine a light on this little told aspect of DV. These are her words.

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Allison’s Story

Allison* cringed at her reflection in the mirror as she gently dabbed concealer over the bruises circling her eye.

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Beth Huffman's Story

When a survivor's child was in trouble, Beth Huffman helped organize a press conference to get the story out on behalf of Women Against Abuse's Legal Center.

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Mike

Mike's Story

Mike, a former police detective with the Philadelphia Police Department, has been working as the police liaison for Women Against Abuse, so that he can help survivors in ways he couldn’t as a detective.

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Doug Schoenberg’s Story

Doug Schoenberg, Co-Founder and CEO of SofterWare, Inc., recently provided a challenge match through the Schoenberg Family Charitable Fund as an incentive to help Women Against Abuse gain new monthly donors.

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Megan

Megan's Story

I’ll never forget that moment when the judge asked, “Did he hit you?” I was standing in the courtroom, our 4-month old son sleeping in the baby carrier strapped to my chest. I didn’t know what to say. Everything else – the years of insults, the screaming in my face, the violence, the gaslighting, the drug abuse – was being overlooked. Just because you’ve never been hit, doesn’t mean you aren’t being abused.

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If you or someone you know needs help, call our toll-free 24-hour Hotline:

1.866.723.3014

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