ATHENS, GA — The Georgia Commission on Family Violence is proud to announce that Norma Mendoza has been named the recipient of the prestigious Gender Justice Award, presented at the 32nd Annual Family Violence Conference in Athens, Georgia.

The Gender Justice Award recognizes individuals whose work advances equity and justice for survivors of family violence, particularly those facing systemic barriers to safety.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to receive the Gender Justice Award for 2026,” said Mendoza. “This recognition is truly meaningful, and I sincerely appreciate the acknowledgment of the work we are doing to advance safety, equity, and justice for survivors.”

Norma Mendoza is a distinguished advocate, visionary leader, and champion for justice with more than 15 years of dedicated service advancing the safety, dignity, and empowerment of Hispanic and immigrant communities across Georgia. As Multicultural Program Director at the Cherokee Family Violence Center (CFVC), she has devoted 11 years of her career to ensuring that survivors of domestic violence, stalking, and other crimes receive culturally responsive advocacy, equitable access to resources, and life-saving support.

Her impact extends beyond direct service, focusing on systemic change through policy development, strengthening coordinated community responses, and advancing trauma-informed practices among first responders, legal professionals, advocates, and international consular partners. As a national trainer and faculty member, she has shared her expertise at local, national, and international levels, helping shape more inclusive and effective responses to violence. Norma has also amplified awareness through strategic collaborations with the media and community platforms, elevating survivor voices and increasing awareness about domestic violence and stalking, helping communities understand that these issues are not private matters, but social challenges that require collective action.

Norma serves as a Board Member of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV) and Cherokee FOCUS, Co-Chair of the GCADV Membership and Programmatic Task Force, faculty of the Georgia Victim Assistance Academy, and a national consultant with the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project. She is also a Department of Justice-accredited Paralegal Representative through the Office of Legal Access Programs. Through her unwavering commitment, Norma Mendoza continues to inspire change, empower survivors, and advance a future free from violence.

About the Georgia Commission on Family Violence

The Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV) is a state agency created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1992 to develop a comprehensive plan to end family violence in Georgia. GCFV works with judicial circuits, law enforcement, domestic violence organizations, and community leaders across the state to enhance safety for victims, hold offenders accountable, and promote effective community responses to domestic violence.

Media Inquiries:
April Ross
Department of Community Supervision