FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 August 25, 2025

JEKYLL ISLAND, GA – The Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV) is proud to announce that Vanessa Wilkins, Executive Director of the Tahirih Justice Center’s Atlanta Office, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Gender Justice Award. The honor was presented during the 31st GCFV Statewide Conference held this week in Jekyll Island.

With more than two decades of service to family violence survivors, Vanessa Wilkins has built a legacy of advocacy, leadership, and community transformation across Georgia. From her early work expanding domestic violence services in rural communities to her current role ensuring immigrant women and girls fleeing violence have access to justice, Vanessa’s career is a testament to the profound impact she has made in the lives of survivors.

“Vanessa Wilkins embodies the spirit of the Gender Justice Award,” said GCFV Chair Judge Paige Whitaker. “For over 20 years, she has devoted her life to ensuring that the most marginalized survivors are seen, heard, and protected. Her advocacy has shaped policies, opened shelters, and led systems toward fair-mindedness and safety. She is a visionary leader whose compassion and persistence have made Georgia a better place for domestic violence survivors. She is extremely deserving of this recognition.”

Vanessa’s journey began in 2003 when she joined the domestic violence program in Fayette County, eventually helping to establish the first state-certified domestic violence shelter in the area. She went on to serve as Executive Director of Promise Place for over a decade, expanding its reach and deepening its impact across four counties. Her leadership improved services and influenced systemic change, including prevention initiatives that gained statewide recognition.

In 2021, Vanessa took on a new chapter at the Tahirih Justice Center’s Atlanta office, where she leads a team dedicated to providing holistic legal and social services to immigrant survivors. Her efforts in policy advocacy were instrumental in the passage of Georgia’s Address Confidentiality Program in 2024, which provides critical protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.

Throughout her career, Vanessa has served on numerous boards and task forces, including the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Georgia Commission on Family Violence. Her work has been recognized with several honors, including the Pinnacle Leadership Award in 2017 and the Phenomenal Woman Award in 2021.

“Vanessa Wilkins’s career has been guided by one simple, powerful belief — that every survivor deserves a pathway to safety and justice, no matter who they are or where they come from,” said Judge Whitaker. “Her leadership, integrity, and vision are lighting that path for survivors across our state.”

The Gender Justice Award recognizes individuals whose work advances equity and justice for survivors of family violence, particularly those facing systemic barriers to safety. Vanessa Wilkins joins a distinguished group of advocates who have reshaped Georgia’s response to family violence through innovation, courage, and compassion.

Contact:
 Georgia Commission on Family Violence
 Email: [email protected]
 Website: www.gcfv.georgia.gov