Tram Nguyen accepts Dale Orlando Award for work with domestic violence survivors

BOSTON (The Sun)— State Rep. Tram Nguyen last month accepted the Helping Abuse Working for Change’s Dale Orlando Award, an award given to individuals who are “innovative in their empowerment of domestic abuse and violence survivors.”

Nguyen was honored with the award at the Oct. 5 HAWC Breakfast to Heal event in Salem, where her work with survivors of domestic violence as a legal services attorney with Greater Boston Legal Services was highlighted, including her work in obtaining protective orders for survivors, navigating divorce proceedings and securing resources for survivors as they seek freedom and safety from violence in their household.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this award,” said Nguyen. “Leaders like Dale and organizations like HAWC are key to helping survivors build independent and happy futures. I’m so thankful for their collaboration.”

Nguyen’s award was the second annual award presented in the memory of Dale Orlando, who founded HAWC in 1978 to highlight the prevalence of domestic violence. Since its founding, HAWC has provided a domestic violence hotline, emergency shelter, legal services and counseling to thousands of survivors of domestic violence each year.

“Like Dale, Representative Nguyen is absolutely fierce in her commitment to social justice and continues to use her role as State Representative to break new ground in improving the lives of survivors,” said HAWC Executive Director Sara Stanley. “With advocacy and collaboration like that being provided by Representative Nguyen, we can start to see a future here in the Commonwealth where residents are not defined by their victimization and are empowered to engage fully in life after abuse.”

Also in October, Nguyen accepted the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts Emerging Women Leaders in the Law Award during the WBA’s annual gala Oct. 16 in Boston after being nominated by fellow state Rep. Adrianne Ramos.

“It is humbling to accept an award that celebrates the importance of women’s equality and uplifting other women to achieve success in the legal field,” Nguyen said. “Women supporting women is how we make positive change.”

“I was honored to nominate my colleague, Rep. Tram Nguyen, for this award,” said Ramos. “Through her years of dedication to social justice and change from her time at Greater Boston Legal Services and now as a State Representative, she has emerged as a leading and influential figure in every aspect. I am so excited to continue following her journey through the Legislature and in law.”

Nguyen was honored with the Emerging Women Leaders in Law Award alongside fellow recipients Julie Dick, Avana Epperson-Temple and Whitney Williams.

“This year’s group of Emerging Women Leaders is an exceptional group of women attorneys whose talent and accomplishments thus far in their careers are commendable. I look forward to their continued good work and celebrating their contributions to the legal profession into the future,” said WBA President Jessica Babine.

Nguyen is in her third term serving the 18th Essex District, which includes parts of Andover, North Andover, Boxford and Tewksbury. A spokesperson for Nguyen said in the announcement of her winning the Dale Orlando Award that Nguyen’s advocacy for domestic violence survivors follows her onto Beacon Hill. One bill filed by Nguyen, “An Act to Improve Protections Relative to Domestic Violence,” was recently given a “favorable report” by the Judiciary Committee.