photo of Julie Rems-Smario

Julie Rems-Smario was inducted into the Justice category in 2011.

My Story

Julie Rems-Smario is a social worker who has been deaf since birth. In 2002, she created DeafHope, the only Alameda County advocacy program for deaf victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. DeafHope started in her home, but has steadily grown thanks to Julie's determination and tenacious fundraising. Since 2005, DeafHope has operated out of the Alameda County Family Justice Center in Oakland, joining the center's mission to serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Driven by her belief that deaf women and children were not being served by our legal and social services systems, Julie transformed those communities and institutions through her leadership and dedication.