Press Releases

YORK, PA – Jane Tucker, one of the founders of ACCESS-York, has been named a recipient of the 2014 “Eva Murillo Unsung Hero Award,” a national recognition presented to a crime victim who has utilized their experience to promote public education, public policy development, and greater awareness about crime victims’ rights and needs. The award is presented annually by the U.S. Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus. Mrs. Tucker, of Dallastown, was nominated by U.S. Representative Scott Perry (PA-4) and ACCESS-York.  Rep. Perry is a member of the Victims’ Rights Caucus.

Mrs. Tucker is a domestic violence survivor who has devoted decades of her life to founding, then volunteering at ACCESS-York, York County’s county-wide shelter and service provider for victims fleeing domestic violence.  Mrs. Tucker endured four years of life-threatening physical and mental abuse at the hands of her first husband in the 1950’s. 

Years later, Mrs. Tucker met others who shared her interest in establishing a safe shelter for victims fleeing abuse, and together, through tenacity and perseverance, created ACCESS-York, a program for victims of domestic violence that continues to provide free and confidential emergency shelter, transitional housing, medical and legal advocacy, individual and group counseling, life skills training, and a 24-hour hotline for all victims seeking help.

“I am amazed and very humbled to be chosen as the recipient of the Eva Murillo Unsung Hero Award,” said Mrs. Tucker.

Mrs. Tucker has served ACCESS-York and its clients for more than thirty years.  She continues to work as a volunteer with the program, as well as serving on the Domestic Violence Committee’s Board of Directors.

“Jane Tucker’s life is a story of triumph over tragedy,” said Rep. Perry. “From a battered mother to a founding mother of ACCESS-York, Jane was an ideal candidate for the Eva Murillo Unsung Hero Award and I was proud to join ACCESS-York in nominating her.”

“Jane Tucker is an example of the incredible quiet strength of the battered woman,” said Rick Azzaro, Chief Services Officer of ACCESS York/Victim Assistance Center/YWCA York. “Jane reminds us daily, through her humility, that the cause is much bigger than any one individual advocate. Jane continues to leave a lasting impression on all who commit to serving victims locally and state-wide. She is a constant reminder of strength, compassion, integrity and hope.”

Mrs. Tucker will formally receive her award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 10.  To learn more about the U.S. Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus, visit http://vrc.poe.house.gov/. To learn more about ACCESS-York please visit www.ywcayork.org/victim-services/.

Residents are welcomed to contact Congressman Perry and his staff at any of his offices, or via Perry.House.Gov, where they can sign up for e-mail updates and for his new Facebook, Twitter and You Tube pages.