Throughout her 14-season WNBA career, Tina Charles has done a lot on the court.
The 2012 MVP is a nine-time All-WNBA honoree, eight-time All-Star and four-time All-Defense selection who led the league in scoring twice and rebounding four times. Still going strong at age 36 for the Connecticut Sun, she ranks second all-time in scoring and first in rebounding.
But off the court, she’s done just as much.
That’s why Charles has earned the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award, which honors a current player who demonstrates a commitment to service and social justice while creating a lasting impact in local communities. This is Charles’ second time receiving the award, with her first honor coming in 2012.
Charles’ Hopey’s Heart Foundation, which she established in 2013 in memory of her late aunt, Maureen “Hopey” Vaz, to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and provide Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to organizations in need, just placed their 500th AED. A $20,000 pledge from Yale New Haven Health helped the foundation, which otherwise remains family-run, achieve this milestone. The Connecticut Governor’s Office, in celebration of the achievement, proclaimed September 6, “Hopey’s Heart Day,” with the Sun recognizing Charles before their game.
As part of Charles winning the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award, the WNBA will make a $10,000 donation to Hopey’s Heart. Charles has also involved fans in her foundation through her rebounding challenge, allowing supporters to pledge donations tied to her performance on the boards.
The award’s namesake, Dawn Staley, said of Charles:
Tina Charles exemplifies what it means to be a leader both on and off the court. We are thrilled to recognize her tireless efforts beyond the game over the course of her career, creating a profound and permanent impact within the entire sports community. This award signifies the lasting legacy that leadership leaves behind. Tina embodies the values and hard work that continue to inspire her teammates, fellow athletes, fans, and members of her community.
On receiving this award a second time, Charles shared:
Through my mother at a young age, I learned the importance of being a servant unto others, and receiving the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award is truly special for me — especially for Hopey’s Heart Foundation to receive this honor through its work in raising awareness for sudden cardiac arrest. I started the foundation in April of 2013 and never thought its impact would cast as wide as it has. I’m thankful to everyone who has supported the foundation along the way. Thank you.
