The 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner

The Awards

Every year, the Men Stopping Violence Awards Dinner recognizes individuals who are leaders in seeking safety and justice for women.

The Kathleen Carlin

Justice Seekers Award

This award, named for the founding executive director of Men Stopping Violence, is given to someone whose life's work is in the public arena and who has played a key role in the work of ending violence against women and children.

The 2007 recipient of this award is Eve Ensler (above), an award-winning playwright and the founder of V-Day, a global movement dedicated to ending violence against women and girls worldwide.

In just eight years, V-Day has raised more than $35 million and was named one of Worth magazine's "100 Best Charities."

V-Day partners directly with women's organizations in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia working to end violence against women and girls in all its forms—changing minds, changing laws, changing lives.

Other recent recipients of the Justice Seekers Award have been The Baroness Scotland of Asthal, QC , a Member of Parliament who was responsible for the passage of comprehensive domestic violence legislation in Great Britain, and Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall, author, scholar and founding director of the Women's Research and Resource Center at Spelman College.

The True Ally Award

This award recognizes that violence against women will not end until men of conscience use their influence to support the work of organizations like Men Stopping Violence. The person receiving this award has shown himself willing to take a stand for women's safety.

Developer and civic leader Harold A. Dawson, Jr., will be the first corporate partner to receive the True Ally Award.

Mr. Dawson has been recognized on a number of occasions for his industry and civic contributions. Awards he has received include: “Best in Atlanta Real Estate” from the Atlanta Business Chronicle; the Drum Major for Justice Award for Business from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; and the 20th Century Black Business Owners Hall of Fame Award from the Atlanta Tribune. A father of three children, he is also a proud recipient of the June 2007 American Diabetes Association “Father of The Year” Award.

Mr. Dawson has participated, with his daughters, in the Men Stopping Violence Because We Have Daughters® campaign, which provides an opportunity for men to experience a new perspective on the world in which girls live.

He increased his commitment to Men Stopping Violence's mission by sponsoring and attending the Men Stopping Violence Awards Dinner in 2006. He is a True Ally in developing safer communities, for women, children, and all of us.

Past recipients of this award are U.S. Sen. Joe Biden and author and educator Paul Kivel.

Developing Safe Communities

The Men Stopping Violence

25th Anniversary

Awards Dinner

More than 300 guests filled the ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta on Oct. 27 to mark Men Stopping Violence's 25th anniversary and honor two individuals who have made a strong commitment to the safety of women and girls.

Harold A. Dawson, Jr. , president and CEO of The Dawson Company, (top left with award presenter Ernest Greer) accepted the True Ally Award. Mr. Dawson is the first corporate ally to receive the award.

Playwright and activist Eve Ensler appeared via video to accept the Kathleen Carlin Justice Seekers Award.

Awards Dinner Co-hosts:

Ernest L. Greer

Co-Managing Shareholder, Atlanta Office

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Marc Pollack

Chairman and CEO, Pollack Partners

Presenting Sponsor:

Platinum Sponsor:

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

AGL Resources

Arnall Golden Gregory LLP

Atlanta Spirit

Carter Real Estate

Cousins Properties

Dixon Hughes, PLLC

The Hamby Corporation

Plymart

Pollack Partners

Regions Bank

SunTrust Bank

Bronze Sponsors:

Ackerman & Co.
Sara Blakeley, Spanx
Dr. Johnnetta Cole
Cornerstone Bank
ForumMDS
Morris & Raper Realtors
Judy O'Brien
Reznick Group
Schiff, Kreidler-Shell Insurance
John & Lizanne Stephenson
John Wieland
Wilson, Brock & Irby, LLC

Woodruff Arts Center

Patrons:

BCFCU

Steve Berman

Bill Bollwerk

William Clarkson IV

William Dodson

Martina Jimenez

Justin Jones

Todd Lawson

Maggie Merman &

Sue Kennedy