Executive Director, New York Asian Women's Center

In her five years as Executive Director, Tuhina De O'Connor has helped the New York Asian Women's Center (NYAWC) give hope to thousands of women fleeing domestic violence. Under her leadership, NYAWC has tripled its shelter capacity. Sensitive to the cultural and language barriers that can prevent many Asian women from leaving an abusive relationship, O'Connor has created a safe haven that provides both the concrete services and the emotional support that enable abused women to make a new start for themselves and their children.

NYAWC began in one tiny, hidden office with its phone locked in a file cabinet and its staff made up entirely of volunteers. Two decades later, 45 permanent staff members fluent in 15 Asian languages provide 400 families a year with services that include housing, counseling, legal referrals, and day care. Additionally, they field nearly 4,000 Hotline calls a year. Robin Hood nominated NYAWC for the prestigious Governor's Award to End Domestic Violence which it was awarded in 2002.