In The News

Marcia Gordon

Roxbury native Marcia Gordon, director of programming and staff development at the Elizabeth Stone House, has been named a recipient of the Sunshine Peace Award in recognition of her work to raise awareness about the dangers of domestic violence. She will receive the award in Wilmington, N.C. on Aug. 9.

The Sunshine Peace Award is a national program recognizing individuals that make a difference in building communities that do not tolerate domestic violence. Since 1998, only three other Massachusetts residents have received the award.

“It’s an amazing, uplifting feeling to be receiving the Sunshine Peace Award,” said Gordon in a statement announcing the honor. “This award affirms that the work I have done and continue doing [about] domestic violence is being noticed.”

This year, the Sunshine Peace Award received 160 nominations and will bestow 20 awards. Candidates are nominated and selected on excellence in administration of programs and victim advocacy. As a winner, Gordon will receive $5,000. A matching grant will go to the Elizabeth Stone House’s domestic violence program.

“Marcia is an unsung hero, who has put her whole life into the movement on violence and is a true embodiment of what the Sunshine Peace Award represents,” says Nancy Soward, who oversees the Sunshine Peace Award program. “She is a survivor and worker in this movement and she’s still going.”

As a domestic violence survivor, Gordon knows firsthand the reality of being in a relationship that included violence. Since 1990, Gordon has worked in various capacities at the Boston-based Elizabeth Stone House, which helps women and children rebuild their lives after experiencing mental illness, domestic violence and other forms of trauma. It provides safe shelter, advocacy, parenting classes and economic development programs, and is one of the few programs in Boston to work with battered women with additional mental health and substance abuse issues.

Gordon currently oversees the residential and community service program.

+ Add Comment

Jul 21 8:32am by Nicole Cardwell [65.119.215.231]
while U have left this earth from us, your work and admiration will live on forever, while selfishly I am angry that you have gone, I know that the strength and love you left behind will forever be here.. Loving u always, Nicole .. ( your 1st cousin)..

May 21 0:19am by LORRY [141.154.222.149]
RIGHT ON SIS

Aug 16 4:01am by Samirah Rashid [70.99.171.42]

I would like to send my congratulations to a wonderful, caring and loving woman. Marcia has always had a loving heart and its no wonder that she is being rewarded for her work in the community. The women that she helps are very lucky to have her in their lives. I am very proud to be a part of Marcia's life and she has given me strength to become a better woman. Love you Marcia, and again CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Jul 29 15:13pm by niva scott [71.126.243.136]

I would like to send my warm thoughts and thanks to Marcia for being the the great person she is and all the help she continues to give to others. It's no wonder you are the recipent of this award. Thank you for giving me some much needed support and love.

Niva Scott

Jul 27 20:24pm by Marcia Cowens-Coston [71.233.41.134]

I think this is a wonderful accomplishment and I applaud you. I too was a battered wife/mother and lived at the Elizabeth Stone house and it had given me the courage to move on with my life with my children. You are giving back what you have learned to survive and I applaud you. Congratulations and keep up the good work and God bless you.

Marcia Cowens-Coston

Elizabeth Stone House - in the year 1983

Jul 27 17:10pm by S. Crew [98.141.201.242]

I would really like to congratulate Miss Marcia Gordon for her role in the domestic violence advocacy and doing work in domestic violence awareness, this is a topic that never goes away and so many woman go through this and are tramatized by it as a result. I think more people should be involved in helping these woman rebuild their daily lives back again in dealing with this to put it behind them. Keep doing what your doing Miss Marcia Gordon and God Bless You!

S. Crew of Virginia

Jul 27 0:24am by Crystal Halfkenny [24.127.4.16]
Congrats Marcia, I am so proud of you.