Nan Stoops Named 2019 Recipient of the NNEDV DREAM Award

November 21, 2019

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) congratulates Nan Stoops, the recipient of the 2019 Diane Reese Excellence in Advocacy in the Movement (DREAM) Award.

Nan Stoops has been active in the anti-violence movement for more than 40 years as an innovative leader and advocate who seeks to create change with integrity. The dedication and innovation she brings to her work has inspired both her staff and colleagues across the nation.

“Nan, like Diane, has a big view of what we need to do to end sexual and domestic violence. She knows that we need to look at root causes, and she knows that will not happen in our lifetime…Nan knows that her work is not for herself but for the last marginalized girl,” said Vickie Smith, CEO/Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ILCADV).

(Left to right) Tomaso Johnson, Nan Stoops, and Julie Chen from WCASDV.

Ms. Stoops currently serves as the strategic advisor for the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV), where she previously served as the Executive Director for 17 years. Prior to that, she was the associate director of the Faith Trust Institute, where she organized religious leaders and communities across the country to help prevent gender-based violence. Ms. Stoops was a founding member of INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence, a national network of activists of color working to end violence against women, gender non-conforming, and trans people of color. She also served as Chair of NNEDV’s Board of Directors and has served on numerous other boards and advisory groups.

“Nan exemplifies the values of Diane Reese. She acts on and leads with vision, integrity, honesty, and humility,” says Beth Meeks, Director of the Capacity Technical Assistance team at NNEDV. “One of Diane’s greatest legacies was her capacity to instill advocacy spirit in others. Nan absolutely shares this ability, not just to inspire her colleagues and community to action, but to place action in the context of a broader vision of social justice, and to ensure the work we do is deeply tied to the local needs and goal of protecting each and every survivor to the best of our abilities.”

Cindy Southworth, NNEDV Executive Vice President and Interim CEO, presented Nan Stoops with the DREAM Award on November 19 in Memphis, Tennessee, during a reception following NNEDV’s Annual Meeting.