Democratic state Rep. Debra Tendrich received several honors this month for her work against domestic violence, including a plaque from Palm Beach County’s Domestic Violence Coordinated Community Response team and proclamations from two cities.
The county team honored Tendrich on Oct. 1 at its opening ceremony, citing her advocacy for survivor protections and accountability. On Oct. 6, she addressed the Lake Worth Beach City Commission, which issued a proclamation designating October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Riviera Beach also issued a proclamation recognizing her advocacy, legislative record and community involvement. Councilperson Shirley Lanier sponsored that document, which Mayor Douglas Lawson signed and which also cited Tendrich’s nonprofit, Eat Better Live Better.
Tendrich has been invited to serve as an honorary 2027 ambassador for Dress for Success, a nonprofit that helped her after she fled to Florida with her daughter to escape abuse in 2012. Her office said she recently spoke at the group’s Women Who Inspire luncheon in New York City.
This year she sponsored legislation that increases penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders and provides relocation assistance for victims. The bill also adds protections involving threats against pets and creates two electronic-monitoring pilot programs, one in Pinellas County and one in the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
Tendrich is scheduled to receive the YWCA of Palm Beach County’s 2026 Harmony Hero Award on Oct. 15 at the organization’s Living in Harmony Luncheon.
