Islander wins national family violence prevention award

An Islander has won a national award for her nearly 40 years of service working topreventand eliminatefamily violence in Canada.

Julie Devon Dodd was recently presented the 24th annual Muriel McQueen Fergusson Award during a ceremony at Government House in Fredericton.

"Julie was nominated by several people she had worked with, with glowing words ... for working with victims and perpetrators, trying to make life better for families," said Fergusson Foundation president Noreen Bonnell.

Founding programs for women and men

Dodd's nearly 40 years of service include organizing the first group of volunteers in the creation of Anderson House, Charlottetown's women's shelter, in 1979. She also established Turning Point, a program for men who batter, and is a founding member of the UPEI Centre for Conflict Resolution Studies.

I hate being the centre of attention.- Julie Devon Dodd

She has worked with the Voluntary Resource Council, the Women's Network of P.E.I., the P.E.I. Department of Justice, and supported the Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Centre.

"I hate being the centre of attention," saidDoddabout the award.

"But I was so glad to be able to meet the lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick [Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau]. She is a remarkable woman."

A pioneer and trailblazer

The Fergusson Foundation has existed since 1985, and one of the first board members was Premier Wade MacLauchlan. Past recipients of the Fergusson Foundation award include June Callwood and Senator Sharon Carstairs.

It reinforces everything the foundation is meant to be.- Noreen Bonnell

Bonnell said Doddis a pioneer and trailblazer in family violence prevention.

"When we honour Julie, and people like Julie who work so hard and have a passion, and a vocation to work in this area, it reinforces everything the foundation is meant to be: to make people aware, to help educate, support training programs, and frontline groups that work with people directly,"she said.

Doddreceiveda framed certificate, and a pewter award that was designed and produced by Canada'sfirst female pewtersmith, Carole Cronkhite.

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