Davidson County General Sessions Court Judge Ana L. Escobar will be celebrated as one of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee’s 2019 Academy for Women of Achievement honorees at an awards dinner in Nashville.
The Academy for Women of Achievement was founded in 1992 and “honors women who, through excellence and leadership in their chosen fields, serve as role models for other women.” The 2019 honorees will be celebrated beginning at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Music City Center in Nashville. Proceeds from the event will help fund YWCA programs, such as the Weaver Domestic Violence Center.
Judge Escobar became the first Latina judge in Nashville’s history after she won election to the Davidson County General Sessions Court – Division III seat in August 2018. Before becoming a judge, she served variously as an assistant public defender, an assistant district attorney, Metro Clerk, and deputy director of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
While in the Office of the District Attorney General, much of Judge Escobar’s work focused on the problem of domestic violence. As the team leader of the Office’s Domestic Violence Unit, Judge Escobar prosecuted over 500 cases. She would go on to receive the 2016 Nashville Coalition Against Domestic Violence Outstanding Local Official Award.
In addition to her professional work, Judge Escobar has served on 20 non-profit boards, government boards, and commissions, including the Nashville Prevention Partnership, the Junior League of Nashville, and Conexion Americas. In 2012, Judge Escobar
co-founded MyCity Academy, a leadership program that educates New Americans and neighborhood leaders about local government.
Born in Colombia, Judge Escobar became an American citizen when she was 12 years old. She received her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and her juris doctor from the National Law Center at George Washington University.
In addition to Judge Escobar, the other honorees at the Academy for Women of Achievement dinner are: Gail Carr Williams, Associate Director of Community Relations at Vanderbilt University; Beth Chase, Senior Managing Director at Ankura; Mendy Mazzo, Corporate Senior Vice President at Skanska; Consuelo Wilkins, MD, Vice President for Health Equity at Vanderbilt University Medical Center; and Vicki Yates, News Anchor/Reporter for WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5. The 2019 corporate honoree is Bank of America.
These honorees were chosen by the AWA Judging Committee, which is composed of business and community leaders, and the YWCA Executive Committee. The event co-chairs praised the selections.
“This year’s Academy for Women of Achievement honorees are all purposeful, bold leaders who do what’s right for our community,” said Tara Scarlett, AWA co-chair and YWCA board member. “Each has an amazing and intentional heart, and we are inspired by their leadership and honored to celebrate their accomplishments.”
“Our 2019 honorees have made an indelible mark on Nashville through their involvement in business, public service, media, education, health care and community service,” said AWA Co-Chair Sara Finley. “I feel privileged to work with YWCA to welcome them into the Academy for Women of Achievement.”
