Since her graduation from The University of Akron in 1986, Terri Heckman’s name has been synonymous with Akron agencies that assist women in time of crisis. She has been the executive director of the Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties since 1995. She also was head of the Akron Rape Crisis Center.
A state licensed social worker, Heckman has been recognized as a dynamic statewide leader and recognized speaker on topics concerning domestic violence, child abuse, rape, elder abuse and dating violence. She also wrote two publications, “A Rape Survivor’s Support Manual” and “It Wasn’t Suppose To End This Way,” a date-rape prevention manual written in a comic book format.
Heckman served as the chairperson of the Summit County Domestic Violence Coalition from 1998 – 2001 and continues her leadership role with this Coalition, acting as the executive director. She has also been the chairperson of the Summit County Children At Risk Coalition and chairperson of the Education Committee of the Summit County Child Abuse Prevention Project, has held leadership positions with the Summit County CYO, Summit County Child and Family First Coalition and the Summit Forum, and has been elected to sit on the Steering Committee of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network — the State recognized coalition addressing the needs, services and future of the domestic violence movement in Ohio. She also served 12 years as the head girls soccer coach at Archbishop Hoban High School.
She’s been honored for her hard work and commitment on multiple occasions. In 1999 she received the Outstanding Service to Crime Victims Award from Victims Assistance Inc. of Summit County; in 1998 she won The Liberty Bell Award from the Akron Bar Association, and in 1996 received the Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award from St. Paul A.M.E. Church. She’s also received Special Achievement Award (for authoring “The Survivor Support Manual”) from the state of Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Professional Woman of the Year Award from the Akron Women’s History Project and distinguished service awards from both the Akron Jaycees and Kiwanis Club.
Heckman was born in Cleveland in 1958 and was raised in Fairlawn. She attended St. Hilary grade school and graduated from Copley High in 1976. Her parents and four siblings still reside in Summit County.
Photo courtesy of the Beacon Journal.
–Zachary Jackson