Deborah D. Tucker

        An increasing problem in the world today is the disrespect and violence towards women. According to UN Women, a United Nations organization, thirty five percent of women worldwide have experienced some kind of physical or sexual assault. In some nations, seventy percent of women have experienced the same thing (UN Women). Deborah D. Tucker is an advocate against the sexual and domestic assault of women and a woman who deserves more recognition than the 21st century world grants her. Her heroic qualities are shown through her dedication, the effects of her outreach, and the awards she has received.

Deborah D. Tuckerhttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/N7RMFlQHNoNl4x0r5zVOjjpdMiboH-grbF05nzdVcYDNylGbeaV8rpDrntV0RFxrfxIcQyj5joD058Oety7XgcTbwj7z8t7acXpUuP_KLptObQvcrPv_fYebFvi0POQx-qIksuiNtKu-ggCY1al0EAYTgBDU62F_n2s=w5000-h5000       Half of Tucker’s life was spent both helping women find their voices to speak out against violence and being the voice for those would could not speak for themselves. Her career journey shows her dedication to ending violence against women. In 1974, when only in her twenties, she volunteered at the first rape crisis center in Texas. She later became the first Executive Director of the Texas Council on Family Violence. This position allowed her to establish shelters for abused women and also create abuse intervention programs. She also promoted laws to improve responses toward domestic violence within the criminal justice system and health and human services. Tucker’s drive pushed her to approach the Texas State Legislature and bring the issue of battered women to their attention. “Under her leadership, the Texas Council grew to be one of the largest coalitions in the country with over 50 staff providing training and technical assistance, public education and advocacy.” (National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence). After she helped the issue become recognized at the state level, Texas opened the “National Domestic Abuse Violence Hotline”. “Thanks to Deborah D. Tucker, Texas is known and respected for groundbreaking efforts to end violence against women,” (Texas Women's University). Tucker felt as though she was not doing enough for the cause, so she joined Sarah M. Buel and they opened “Tucker, Buel, and Associates”. Here, they offered training and personalized consultations to end violence against women. The two later moved on to co-found the “National Center on Domestic and Sexual Abuse.” The center received funding from the US Department of Justice to develop curriculum and training while working with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the Office on Violence Against Women, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the National Center for Rural Law enforcement. The progression of her career showed her selflessness. She began her career as a volunteer, which means that she started working in this field because she strived to make change; she did not do it for the money. Her passion and dedication was what truly pushed her to make strides against domestic and sexual violence.

       Her dedication had major payoffs: both nationally and globally. Her national work consisted of multiple, different organizations and leadership positions she took on. When she worked as the chair of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, she played a role in the passing of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 . Heger writes that “The VAWA provides more than just a financial commitment to preventing violence against women: the legislation toughens penalties for offenders and grants aid to victims in the legal system,” (Heger) and provides grants to educate and lead discussions about “rape, sexual assault domestic abuse and other gender-related violence.” (Heger). She also worked with the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancements and Leadership Through Alliances. This group worked and strengthened 14 state coalitions to prevent domestic violence. Tucker also reached out to women within the military community when working on the “Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Campaign” with the Avon Foundation for Women. She worked in various other groups such as being on the board of advisors of WomensLaw.org, working on the US Department of Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence from 2000 to 2003, and on the Advisory Committee for the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence. Globally, “she has worked with organizations and governments in México and Peru and assisted groups in 12 other countries,” (Texas Women's University). The number of places and people that Deborah Tucker has helped is evidence that her efforts have benefited so many people all around the world. The magnitude of heroism is often related to how many people are helped, appreciate, and trust the individual.

Texas Women's Hall of Famehttps://www.ncdsv.org/images/Photo_Texas-Women's-Hall-of-Fame-2014-Inductees-small_5-6-2014.png       People’s appreciation for the work that Tucker has done can be shown through the various awards that she has received. She has accumulated many awards including the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 2014, the Sunshine Lady Award Award in 2008, the National Network to End Domestic Violence's Standing in the Light of Justice Award in 2005, the Marshall’s and Futures Without Violence’s “Domestic Violence Peace Prize”, and the Stephen L. Von Riesen Lecturer of Merit Award. These awards show that others also view Tucker as a hero. The legacy of her work has influenced others to reach the same level of success she had; so much so that, she had an award named after her called, “The Texas Council on Family Violence -- Deborah D. Tucker Staff Achievement Award”. Tucker being the first recipient of this award set the bar high for all those who follow in her footsteps of reforming the issue of battered women.

       In the upsetting modern day reality, domestic and sexual violence against women is becoming more and more commonplace and talked about in society. Tucker’s efforts to help reform this social reality make her the ideal and necessary hero for the 21st century.  For Tucker, heroism meant showing dedication, helping women around the globe, and having her legacy recognized and seen as something to strive for.

Work Cited:

- Deborah D. Tucker.” Deborah D. Tucker - Texas Women's Hall of Fame - Texas Woman's University,https://twu.edu/twhf/honorees/deborah-d-tucker/.

- “European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.” Violence against Women: an EU-Wide Survey. Main Results Report | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 1 Jan. 1970, https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2014/violence-against-women-eu-wide-survey-main-results-report

- Heger, David M. “The Violence Against Women Act of 1994.” Current Federal Policy Menu, https://mainweb-v.musc.edu/vawprevention/policy/vawa.shtml .

- National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, www.ncdsv.org/ncd_staff.html.

UN Women, “Facts and Figures: Ending Violence against Women.” UN Women, www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures.

Images:

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