Rasmuson Sabbatical Awarded to Executive Director, Peggy Brown
Juneau – Peggy Brown, Executive Director of the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is one of six non-profit leaders selected for the 2013 Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical Program.
Ms Brown is a lifelong advocate for peace and justice who has served as Executive Director for the Network for 17 years. Since joining the Network in 1996, Ms. Brown has provided leadership on both a state and national level.
Ms Brown commented, "A friend of mine once said, "you cannot do this work unless you wake up everyday thinking you can change the world. When I look back at the 17 years I've been at ANDVSA, I am truly proud of how far we've come towards making that change happen but am also incredibly aware of how far we have to go. What a blessing to have a foundation such as Rasmuson to provide an island of respite and renewal in that journey."
The Alaska Network is a coalition of 18 domestic violence/sexual assault victim service agencies from across Alaska. The organization's mission is to promote, nourish and sustain a collective movement to end violence in Alaska.
The Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical Program supports nonprofit leaders in time away from the job. The program's goal is to retain exceptional CEOs/executive directors and tribal administrators in the sector by providing three- to six-month opportunities for rest, reflection and rejuvenation. Ms. Brown will use her time away to focus on rekindling her passion for watercolor and oil painting, and travel internationally to explore her family roots.
Ms. Brown was nominated by her coalition and encouraged to apply for the award. "There are a lot of things happening in the work to end violence both statewide and nationally and Peggy has been right in the thick of it for way too long without a break," said ANDVSA Chair Ginger Baim. "We are happy to see that she finally applied for a sabbatical and even happier that the Rasmuson Foundation selection committee chose her among the many candidates for this honor."
2013 Sabbatical Award recipients come from five communities across the state and include professionals in recreation, and health and social services. They include Peggy Brown, Juneau: Deborah Lyons, Sitka Trial Works, Sitka; Naomi Michalsen, Women in Safe Homes, Ketchikan; Rowena Palomar, Advocates for Victims of Violence, Valdez: Lary Parker, Anchorage Community YMCA, Anchorage; and Amy Simpson, Program for Infants and Children, Anchorage.
ANDVSA press release