by SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
(photo credit: SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS staff)
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Leaders, advocates, and community members gathered at the Huntsville Botanical Garden on September 4, 2025, to celebrate the enduring legacy of the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC). Presented by Radiance Technologies, the NCAC September Celebration paid tribute to former Congressman Robert E. “Bud” Cramer, whose vision, tenacity, and leadership helped create a groundbreaking model that forever changed how communities respond to child abuse.
Cramer, then serving as Madison County District Attorney in the 1980s, recognized the flaws in a fragmented system that often retraumatized children who had already endured abuse. His determination to create a child-centered, multidisciplinary approach led to the establishment of the first Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in Huntsville in 1985. That vision became the blueprint for a national and international movement, shifting the focus from bureaucracy to healing, protection, and justice.
According to the 2024 Annual Report from the National Children’s Alliance, there are 959 Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) nationwide. This remarkable growth reflects the vision of Bud Cramer, whose model launched in Huntsville nearly four decades ago and has since transformed child protection across the country. Beyond the U.S., the CAC approach has also been adopted internationally, making it a global standard for supporting children and families in crisis.
The celebration also recognized individuals whose contributions have been pivotal to the NCAC’s success. NCAC CEO Chris Newlin was honored for his leadership and global advocacy, while Marilyn Grundy was recognized for her work in building a world-class conference and training facility. The Original Task Force members were applauded for their dedication to creating a trauma-informed system, and past and present multidisciplinary team members and staff were acknowledged for championing the global response to child abuse.
Special recognition was also given to Margaret Hoelzter, Olympic medalist and advocate, who has shared her story to inspire change, and to longtime volunteer Stephanie Stimac-Uss, who has dedicated 20 years of service to the NCAC. The program also included a heartfelt remembrance of Mary Gail Tumlin, Huntsville’s first female police officer, who played a pivotal role in the creation of the NCAC.
As the evening drew to a close, attendees reflected on the legacy of Bud Cramer’s vision and the countless children whose lives have been safeguarded because of the NCAC model. The celebration was more than a tribute—it was a call to action for the future. With nearly 1,000 centers now serving communities across the country and abroad, the NCAC stands as proof of what can happen when leaders, advocates, and everyday citizens unite around a common cause. The mission remains clear: to protect children, support families, and ensure that every young voice is heard, believed, and defended.