Circle of Hope Director Wins Award

The Executive Director of an area domestic violence agency receives recognition from a state agency.

Last month, the Georgia Commission on Family Violence awarded Suzanne Dow with its highest honor, the Gender Justice Award, during its annual conference.

Dow is the Executive Director of Circle of Hope, a state certified family violence agency that serves Stephens, Habersham, and White counties.

The Gender Justice Award recognizes and celebrates a person who has made significant contributions towards social justice by working to end gender-based violence in Georgia.

The Georgia Commission On Family Violence said that under Dow’s 17 years of leadership at Circle of Hope, the agency has secured funds to build a new shelter facility, open satellite offices in neighboring counties to reach previously underserved victims, and implemented a multi-cultural program.

Also, the commission said Dow helped start three off-site supportive housing programs for women and children exiting emergency shelter and has served in leadership roles on numerous state committees and task forces.

A past winner of the Gender Justice Award, Meg Rogers, who is the Executive Director of the Cherokee Family Violence Center in Canton, said Dow’s quiet leadership has been a model for all in the field as to how to get things done, adding that Dow’s leadership at Circle of Hope shows that innovative, progressive, victim-centered work can be done anywhere.

Meanwhile, Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney Brian Rickman said that he respects Dow immensely not only as an advocate, but as a person and community leader, adding that this is a well-deserved honor for Dow.