About Holly

Holly Dunn Pendleton is a survivor, a motivator, and a tribute to the human spirit!

“Holly Dunn is a very gifted and articulate young woman who has the strength to take what happened to her and transform it into something amazing!”  –Carol Jordan, director of the University of Kentucky Center for Research on Violence Against Women

The victim of a violent physical and sexual assault and witness to her boyfriend’s murder, Holly has become a beacon of hope and inspiration to many.

Miraculously living to tell her story, Holly motivates others to reclaim their lives after assault, and to help her community build a network of healing and outreach.  Holly’s passion to advocate for other victims of violence is extraordinary, and it is this passion that has allowed her and organizations that she is a part of to reach so many people. 

Holly’s work includes being the spokesperson for Holly’s House; a local sexual abuse and domestic violence advocacy center which she co-founded in her hometown of Evansville, IN.  She is also involved with many community organizations and outreach programs and a member of the Vanderburgh County Commission on Domestic Violence.

Through Holly’s own personal journey of healing, she has become an engaging motivational speaker with a passion for reaching out to others!

Holly was the recipient of the 2006 Jefferson Award for community service by the Evansville Courier and Press. 

Holly traveled to Washington D.C. in 2006 to receive the Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis Award for the greatest public service to local communities.

Holly was featured in the February 2007 edition of Glamour Magazine as their Hero of the Month.

Holly also serves on the Vanderburgh County Commission on Domestic Violence.

In 2008, Holly became co-founder of Holly’s House, a safe and private refuge for victims of neglect and abuse in the Evansville area.

In 2009, Holly’s story was featured in People Magazine as a Hero Among Us.