Julie Kocurek

2018 Roberta Wolfe Bryant Community Service Award

Julie Kocurek has served her community in many professional and volunteer capacities, mostly benefitting youth and young offenders.  Since 1991 she has served as a Criminal Court Judge in Austin, Texas.  She also serves on the Juvenile Board for Travis County.  Due to her passion to be an advocate for youth, in 2003 she became the founding chair of the Austin DtWT Program and served as a co-chair for 13 years.  During this time thousands of young students were given the opportunity to share their stories and experiences through DtWT.

In 2015, Julie was targeted, ambushed and viciously assaulted due to her position as a judge.   After months of hospitalization, more than 20 surgeries and the loss of a finger, Julie was back on the bench.  She was not going to let a gunman determine her life.  Her faith and will to continue was much stronger than the attack.  Though certainly not sought, her service now to her community has the added dimension of being an example of courage and determination in overcoming adversities.