Christy
Brzonkala is honored for her courageous efforts in the struggle to end
violence against women. She became the first person in the nation to sue
her attackers under the Violence
Against Women Act. While a student at Virginia Tech in September 1994,
Brzonkala reported to the University that she was raped by two football
players. In an academic disciplinary hearing, the university found one
athlete not guilty; the other was found guilty and suspended for two semesters.
But the school later reversed its decision—just in time for him to rejoin
the football team for its fall opening game and regain a full athletic
scholarship. Once the school exonerated both players, Brzonkala sued the
athletes for violating her civil rights. Her suit also sought to prevent
Virginia Tech from privately adjudicating felonious sexual assault and
argued that preferential treatment given to male athletes was a violation
of Title
IX. At the age of 23, she has valiantly faced harsh and biased courts
and maintained a graceful poise in front of the media. Brzonkala is the
youngest of five children and comes from a loving and supportive family
who backed her throughout her journey. Brzonkala hopes to offer her own
experience and support to women and children who may be facing the system
alone. She has given a strong empowering voice to college women and all
survivors of violent acts against women. It is our honor to present Christy
Brzonkala with a 2000 Woman of Courage Award.
Julia
Gabriel is honored for her tremendous courage in her work to improve labor
conditions and in testifying against those who force illegal servitude.
As a young farm worker, Gabriel blew the whistle on her employers, Flores
and Gomez, who held her and others in slave-like conditions. Gabriel represents
many undocumented immigrants forced into illegal servitude to pay back
their debt to those who brought them to the United States. Fearing
for her life, she slipped through the fields with a group of co-workers,
walking all night. Gabriel became a member of the Coalition
of Immokalee Workers after learning that Flores and Gomez were known
throughout Florida for their abusive practices. With the help of Laura
Germino, Gabriel brought suit against her employers. In 1997, Flores and
Gomez were sentenced to 15 years in a federal prison. Gabriel, now 27 and
working in a computer-parts factory in North Carolina, has become an inspiring
advocate for workplace rights and human rights. It is our honor to
present a 2000 Women of Courage Award to Julia Gabriel.
NOW also honors Laura Germino and Lucas Benitez for their outstanding efforts in the fight against poverty and for workers' rights. Laura Germino is a community educator with Florida Rural Legal Services, and Lucas Benitez is a young organizer and member of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
Elaine
Gordon is honored this weekend with a posthumous award for her great integrity,
character and accomplishments. Gordon was a lawmaker filled with a joy
that came from doing for others. She was a trail-blazing legislator recognized
for her devotion to women, children and the elderly. Gordon was a liberal
Democrat from South Florida, who proved herself adept at moving into the
power circle dominated by men from largely conservative, rural districts
in the Florida Panhandle. One of her male colleagues gave her the
high compliment of saying she was "slicker than owl spit" after one of
her particularly stealthy strategies succeeded. She served in the Florida
House of Representatives for 22 years from 1972 to 1994. In the legislature,
Gordon was a lead sponsor of the Equal
Rights Amendment and headed the House Health Care Committee. Her politics
set the statewide agenda for 22 years on issues involving children, health
care, mental health and women's reproductive rights. She was honored numerous
times for her civic contributions and impact on women's rights. Gordon
was among the first six women inducted into the Florida
Women's Hall of Fame in Tallahassee in 1982. She was honored with Impact
Awards by the Community Coalition for Women's History to celebrate the
beginning of Women's History Month. Gordon was a Dade County NOW activist
before her election to the state legislature. She never flinched from her
principles, but knew the art of compromise. Elaine Gordon died February
25, 2000, at the age of 68. She was one of a generation of selfless politicians
who put service ahead of self-promotion. It is our honor to present a 2000
Women of Courage Award to Elaine Gordon. Elaine Gordon's family will attend
as her daughters and granddaughters accept the award on her behalf.
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