The 2017 Heartbeat Legacy Award recognizes individuals who have exemplified the heart of love for others in this community through their leadership, volunteerism & service. More specifically, those that have the heart to be selfless and serve as a champion for others. This year’s recipient is the Honorable Judge Denise Hartsfield.
Judge Hartsfield, a 1991 Wake Forest Law School Graduate, is a native of Winston-Salem and considers herself a hometown girl. She is familiar with outreach needs in the community and utilizes these programs and opportunities in her role as District Court judge. As a judge since 2002, Hartsfield must find alternatives to incarceration particularly in the juvenile arena. “Dispositional alternatives are essential in juvenile matters, and in criminal cases involving defendants younger than 18,” she says. “Part of my job is to be able to practice restorative justice instead of criminal justice. It also allows me to see what people need to improve their lives.”
From Judge Denise Hartsfield Emceeing the Red H.E.A.R.R.T.’s 2013 Go Red & Get Moving event in which 1,021 students from the W-S/FC Schools, Mayor Allen Joines & Red HEARRT received the organization’s first Guinness World Record to being on program and emceeing other H.E.A.R.R.T. events, the Honorable Judge Denise Hartsfield has always said ”Whatever you need me to do, I’m there”. While Judge Hartsfield name is not spelled with the word HEART in it, It sounds like it has the word heart in it. Furthermore, she exemplifies her love and passion through her work, volunteerism and love for others as if “heart” is engraved in her last name. Why am I mentioning this? I’m so glad you asked. In Red HEARRT’s eyes, Judge Hartsfield continuously demonstrates exemplary leadership, heart and dedication to serve our community.
For that and more, we recognize and applaud Judge Denise Hartsfield for her outstanding work with our Red H.E.A.R.R.T. organization and for the community at large.