MILWAUKEE — Antonia Drew Norton was recently honored with the Patricia Waschbisch Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award honors an individual who has provided exceptional services to survivors of domestic abuse.

The Patricia Waschbisch Legacy Award is named after an advocate who lost her life in a domestic homicide in 2013. 

What You Need To Know

  • Antonia Drew Norton was recently honored with the Patricia Waschbisch Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement

  • For more than 30 years, Norton has been working with survivors of domestic violence

  • Asha Family Services is located on Center Street on Milwaukee’s north side

  • Norton is humbled by her recent award, but she said there is still much more work to be done to help people in need

Gov. Tony Evers presented Norton with the award during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“That was special, that was really special,” Norton said.

For more than 30 years, she has worked with survivors of domestic violence. For Norton, it’s more than just a career, it’s her life’s work.

Norton is a certified domestic violence counselor, and she is the founder and director of Asha Family Services in Milwaukee.

The organization offers a variety of services to help people heal. Asha Family Services also helps survivors gain independence and confidence after leaving abusive relationships.

“We never thought we would be here this long,” she said. “We never thought an entire industry would be built behind this.” 

(Courtesy of Antonia Drew Norton)

Norton has helped create violence prevention programs and strategies that are used throughout the country. She has also advocated for thousands of people from various backgrounds to achieve social justice.

Darcus Hunt is a survivor who’s been working with Norton for a long time. Hunt said having someone like Norton in her corner has changed her life for the better.

“She’s an angel in everybody's corner,” Hunt said. “Everyone just loves her, not just because she goes above and beyond. She is just doing who she is.”

Asha Family Services is on Center Street on Milwaukee’s north side. It’s in a neighborhood that is all too often underserved. Norton said that’s one of the main reasons she chose the location.

“Being here in the community where businesses, families, friends, who have loved ones will just walk survivors right in our door,” Norton said.

Norton is humbled by her recent award, but she said there is still much more work to be done to help people in need.

For more information on Asha Family Services: The Asha Project (ashafamilyservices.org)

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