As she prepares to conclude a 36-year career as an advocate for crime victims, Alberta DePesa, ’80, is earning some notable accolades.
The Hingham resident, who retires in September as director of the Special Victims Unit in the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, has been chosen Victim Advocate of the Year in separate awards to be presented this spring by the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance, and the Massachusetts District Attorney Association.
"At the end of my career, it’s an honor to be given both awards for my years of service to crime victims,” said Ms. DePesa, who began her work in 1979 as a sexual assault advocate in the district attorney’s office.
Terri Hoitt, ’79, a part-time faculty member in the School of Social Work, who is also DePesa’s spouse, said, “(Alberta) has always prided herself in her role as social worker and has accomplished much with her bachelor’s degree in social work.”
A victim’s advocate’s role, DePesa said, is to be “the ears and eyes and sometimes the voice for families that can’t speak for themselves.”
DePesa credits the late BSU social work professor, Dr. Rebecca Leavitt, for mentoring her as a student, saying she is disappointed her former teacher “is not here to know about these awards.” (University News)
