PHOTO PROVIDED Donna Kshir is pictured. Kshir recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her child advocacy work.

RENOVO — Child rights activist Donna Kshir has achieved a significant milestone in her advocacy career by receiving a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring her tireless dedication to protecting children in the field of child advocacy, as well as her work with Conner’s Law-Kentucky and Zero Tolerance. Both were laws designed to protect children.

The award was presented on April 8 by Lee Cougardawn Roberts, co-founder of Advocates United for Humanity. This recognition marks over three decades of Kshir’s unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable children.

The award ceremony also coincided with her significant involvement in the documentary “Voices for the Voiceless Advocacy Documentary,” which was produced by renowned Canadian-American radio personality, public speaker, author and activist Laurie Ann Smith.

This accolade highlights Kshir’s dedication and innovative approaches, particularly her groundbreaking efforts to establish a public child abuse registry in Pennsylvania, which she began in March 2015. Her work reflects a passionate commitment to creating safer environments for children.

In a heartfelt conversation on the podcast “Women Like Me,” she joined Smith to discuss her impactful work.

When asked about the most significant aspect of her life, Kshir became emotional, sharing that her grandchildren are truly her greatest joy, blessing and motivation.

In August 2024, Kshir reached out to Pennsylvania State Representative Aaron Bernstine, who serves the 8th Legislative District in the PA House of Representatives. Bernstine, a devoted father of three, was profoundly moved by Kshir’s commitment to child safety.

As a parent, he identified with the pressing need for awareness surrounding a public child abuse registry, emphasizing during an open discussion the importance of having a system akin to Megan’s Law.

The initiative gained momentum when Bernstine received Kshir’s email regarding the proposed registry. His immediate response to her message was one of surprise, “Why isn’t this already in existence?”

Motivated by his deep-rooted passion for protecting children and ensuring their welfare, he began to contemplate actionable steps to enhance safety in the Commonwealth. He posed critical questions to himself: “What can we do to guarantee that parents, guardians, grandparents and neighbors are informed about who lives nearby and who may pose a threat to their children?”

As the Pennsylvania Central Registry proposal continues to advance through the intricate legislative process, Kshir and Bernstine, along with their collaborators, Roberts and Smith, stress the urgency of sustained advocacy and heightened public awareness.

“People must be aware that this vital tool is at their disposal, and they need clear guidance on how to utilize it effectively. It has to be user-friendly, just like Megan’s Law, and it will be,” Bernstine asserted. “These are the objectives we will strive for together as we work toward our ultimate vision of a safer future for our children.”

Kshir has chronicled her journey, alongside Roberts, who divides her time between Crestview, Fla., and Clinton County, in advocating for a public child abuse registry through her podcast, “The Daily with Donna Kshir.”

In her most recent episode, she passionately urged her listeners to support Pennsylvania House Bill 849 (HB849) for the 2025 session, which Bernstine plans to present to the House of Representatives in the coming months.

Through her platform, Kshir aims to raise awareness and rally community support for this critical legislative initiative.