Sonnja Brown Announced as the Recipient of the 2026 Janet Reno Endowment Women’s Leadership Award!
Posted in Announcements JRF News
We are so proud to announce that Sonnja Brown was awarded the 2026 Janet Reno Endowment’s Women’s Leadership Award! Somehow, we kept it as a surprise from her!!
The Women’s Leadership Award recognizes women leaders who champion the causes to which Janet Reno dedicated her career. This award is given to a nominee who has demonstrated a commitment and ability to effect change in her community or organization to benefit youth, particular those at risk of entering the youth legal or child welfare systems. The inaugural Women’s Leadership Award was presented to Marian Wright Edelman in April 2017.
About Sonnja Brown
Sonnja Brown (she/her) is a Family Support Partner with Child & Family Behavioral Health Services for the City of Alexandria, Virginia, where she uses her lived experience to support families navigating behavioral health and juvenile justice systems. A dedicated Juvenile Justice Advocate, Sonnja believes youth should be defined by their potential rather than their past mistakes. She works to empower caregivers to become active partners in shaping systems that embrace healing, accountability, and opportunity instead of punishment.
Inspired by helping her own grandson overcome significant barriers and successfully rebuild his life in the community, Sonnja models resilience, hope, and effective advocacy for families facing similar challenges. She has served on Alexandria’s Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT), as a Commissioner for the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center, and as a leader in the Crossover Youth Practice Model. Sonnja is committed to creating lasting systems change that helps justice-involved youth and young adults thrive.