Judge Gayl Y. Branum Carr, the NCJFCJ Board immediate past president, received the prestigious Lelia Baum Hopper Service Award from the Virginia Council of Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judges in recognition of her exceptional dedication and contributions to the children and families of Virginia. This award, named in honor of the late Lelia Baum Hopper, is given annually to individuals who devote a significant part of their career to children and families and are making positive contributions inside and outside of the courtroom.
Hopper, a longtime advocate for juvenile justice and family law, served as the Executive Director of the Court Improvement Program in the Office of the Executive Secretary for the Supreme Court of Virginia. She focused on improving the court system’s ability to handle cases of child abuse, neglect, and foster care. She was also deeply involved in working with the Virginia General Assembly on child-focused legislation to improve outcomes for children seeking justice.
