Lake Worth Beach Democratic Rep. Debra Tendrich, who turned her escape from an abusive relationship into state law this year, is receiving another honor for her work in Tallahassee, this time from a shelter operator working in her home county.
The freshman lawmaker is receiving the 2026 “Harmony Hero Award” from the YWCA of Palm Beach County, which cited her successful push to tighten Florida’s domestic violence statutes and widen protections available to those fleeing abuse.
The YWCA runs Harmony House, an emergency shelter for women leaving violent relationships that pairs housing with counseling, case management and other services aimed at helping residents regain independence.
“This recognition means more to me than I can put into words,” Tendrich said.
“Domestic violence is not simply a policy issue to me. It is deeply personal, and I have made it one of my highest priorities in the Legislature to ensure victims have the support and protections they need to become survivors. I want Florida to become the gold standard for how we address domestic violence, protect survivors, and hold abusers accountable, and I am proud to help lead that charge.”
She said the statutory changes she pursued are only one piece of a much larger effort in which organizations like the YWCA play a critical role.
“Legislation is an important part of protecting survivors, but laws alone are not enough,” she said. “It takes advocates, first responders, service providers, community organizations and courageous survivors working together to create real change. I am incredibly grateful to be recognized by an organization that has been such an important partner in that mission.”
The award, which Tendrich is set to receive at the YWCA’s Living in Harmony Luncheon at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport on Oct. 15, follows a Session in which Tendrich passed five of 12 bills she sponsored.
Atop the list is HB 277, a unanimously passed measure that stiffens penalties for domestic abusers, raises relocation assistance for victims, permits threats against pets to be cited in protective injunctions and launched a pilot program in Pinellas County allowing Judges to order electronic monitoring of offenders deemed an ongoing danger.
Tendrich has enjoyed consistent recognition since. The Florida League of Cities gave Tendrich a “Legislative Appreciation Award” in May for her home-rule votes. The Florida chapter of the National Association of Social Workers named her its 2026 “Elected Official of the Year” in June, months after its Palm Beach County affiliate handed her a similar honor.
Last month, the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association celebrated her at a gathering of more than 80 first responders, prosecutors, advocates and survivors.
Tendrich is running for re-election in House District 89, an inland Palm Beach County seat that stretches from Greenacres and Palm Springs east to Lake Worth Beach and north to Atlantis. She carried the district by 2.5 percentage points in 2024.
This cycle, she faces Cathy Higgins, a former Atlantis Mayor and 12-year City Council member who took more than 67% of the Aug. 18 Republican Primary vote against one opponent.
Tendrich drew no Primary challenger.
Last week, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee included HD 89 among the 17 Florida legislative seats it intends to back this cycle.
The General Election is Nov. 3.
Jesse Scheckner has covered South Florida with a focus on Miami-Dade County since 2012. His work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Society of News Editors, Florida MMA Awards and Miami New Times. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JesseScheckner.
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