Local Advocate Receives National Award

Leominster, MA – May 15, 2006 – The Board of Directors for Battered Women’s Resources, Inc. is pleased to announce that Joanne Tulonen, the executive director, has been selected to receive a national peace award for her thirty years of work on behalf of victims of domestic violence. The award will be presented in Wilmington, North Carolina this summer.

Local advocate, Joanne Tulonen of Battered Women’s Resources, Inc. was one of twenty individuals chosen to receive this select award due to her efforts in the domestic violence field. Each day, hundreds of individuals work countless hours with little in return. However, Ms. Tulonen’s unique contributions to the field will be recognized and rewarded.

The award is presented by the Sunshine Foundation, which is a private family foundation operated by Doris Buffett, sister of billionaire Warren Buffett. The nationwide program honors outstanding individuals who work to end domestic violence. Every two years twenty people from around the country are selected to receive the $10,000 award. Ms. Tulonen will receive a $5000 personal award and an additional $5000 will be awarded to Battered Women’s Resources, Inc. Local workers in the field of domestic violence are chosen based on their hard work, commitment and on-going efforts to make a difference. Since 1998, 80 individuals have received the award. It remains a highly competitive and prestigious honor.

“I have long felt strongly that workers in this field deserve to be honored for their selfless labors,” said Buffett in a recent phone interview. Ms. Buffett has provided over $1 million in personal funds to the program over a ten-year period.

“I am deeply honored to have received this award. Over the years, I have meet many people who have made a difference in the lives of women and children, working day in and day out to keep women and children safe, on their behalf, I accept this award. I believe strongly that domestic violence is a cancer that eats away at the heart and soul of families and communities; it robs women and children of their human rights and each of us should be doing everything in our power to end it. I’m lucky to have been a part of this social justice movement, to witness the changes in attitude and behavior in our society over the last thirty years. My wish is that in another thirty years, violence in the family will be completely unacceptable,” said Joanne Tulonen.

Headquartered in Leominster, BWRI serves approximately 6000 women and children each year throughout the 29 cities and towns in North Central Massachusetts. For more information about available programs, please call 978-537-2306.