6 South Jersey Women Honored

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Governor McGreevey and Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin this week announced the recipient of the 2004 Connie Woodruff Award and the recipients of the Wynona M. Lipman Awards. Of the 17 awardees, six South Jersey women were honored for their work to improve the lives of fellow New Jerseyans.

“As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we are reminded of the important contributions women throughout history have made that still impact us today,” said Governor James E. McGreevey. “The Wynona Lipman and Connie Woodruff awards honor today’s history makers - women of strength, vision, and character that contribute to the advancement of women throughout New Jersey.”

Commissioner Levin, a committed women’s advocate, echoed the Governor’s sentiments.

“The purpose of Women’s History Month is to commemorate what women have done in the past, and look forward to what we can achieve in the future,” she said. “The recipients of these awards have carried on the same tradition of Senator Lipman and Connie Woodruff – a tradition of excellence and inspiration.”

The Connie Woodruff Award is named in honor of the late Connie Woodruff, the first Chairperson of the New Jersey Advisory Commission on the Status of Women, and past President of the National Association of Commissions on Women.

This year’s Connie Woodruff Award was given to Mary Wells of Moorestown. For the past 26 years, Wells has been President and CEO of Family Service of Burlington County. In that role, she has brought relief and hope to the mentally ill, women in crisis, and families in transition through a variety of programs that help build healthy families – from job training and substance abuse counseling to supportive living services for seniors.

As the first female President of the Moorestown Rotary, Wells is working to bring much-needed social services to Latino women. By funding the translation of health care information into Spanish and producing a video and brochure, the Rotary, under Wells’ leadership, will make healthcare and social services more understandable and accessible for 1,000 women. The educational video and brochure will outline the many services, including prenatal healthcare, that are available for Hispanic mothers throughout the county.

Five South Jersey women received the 2004 Wynona M. Lipman Award, named for the late Senator Wynona M. Lipman. Senator Lipman was the first African American woman elected to the New Jersey State Senate, and was a champion of women’s rights, minorities and children.

Irene Burke is the President of the Senior Citizen Advisory Board in Cherry Hill, where she works to ensure comprehensive services for senior citizens in the Township. She is also a 25-year member and trustee of the New Jersey State Federation Democrat Women, and currently serves as President of the Federation’s Camden County Chapter.

Rhonda Carboni is the President of the Alice Paul Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the life and work of Alice Stokes Paul, a lifelong activist for women’s equality. A strong advocate for women’s rights, Carboni also serves on such organizations as the National Collaborative for Women’s History, Advocates for New Jersey History and the Governor’s Conference for Women.

Sally Larrabee is the Clinical Coordinator of the Wound Treatment Center at Memorial Hospital of Salem County and Secretary of the Salem County Commission on Women. She has dedicated her life to helping others, through her work in the health field.

The Deputy Mayor of Deptford Township, Jacquelyn Sears Love is also Director of the Gloucester County Office of the Disabled. Love is a strong advocate for the disabled community, addressing issues such as transportation services, employment opportunities and discrimination faced by citizens with special needs.

Donna Pearson has 20 years of experience in the human services profession, and has held various positions at the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health and Senior Services, and other direct service agencies for the State of New Jersey.

The following is a list of other women awarded throughout the state.

2004 Wynona M. Lipman Awards
Carmen Twillie Ambar, Douglass College, New Brunswick
Carmen Twillie Ambar is the ninth woman to lead Douglass College of Rutgers University, the nation’s largest public undergraduate women’s college, and previously served as Assistant Dean for Graduate Education at the Woodrow Wilson School of Princeton University. She is a graduate of both the Columbia School of Law and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, where she received a Master’s degree in Public Affairs.

Alma Cruz, Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, Plainfield
Alma Cruz, a community service professional, implements volunteer training programs, educational programs and cultural events. Cruz has created diverse workshops in human rights, health and other related issues to improve the lives of Hispanic residents throughout Union County.

Nancy Healey, Breast Cancer Resource Center, Hopewell
Nancy Healey is Chair of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s New Jersey Race for the Cure and the Director of the Breast Cancer Resource Center of the Princeton YWCA. A two-time breast cancer survivor, Healey has been instrumental in the growth of both organizations by implementing a number of programs that touch the lives of both women and men affected by breast cancer.

Pam Koch, St. James Bereavement Support Group of Basking Ridge, Gladstone
Pam Koch is a retired Bereavement Counselor for the St. James Bereavement Support Group of Basking Ridge. In the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy, Koch counseled the families of 61 victims of the attack, using her own personal battle with breast cancer to give people hope and strength in times of need.

Jeannine LaRue, Saint Barnabas, West Orange
Jeannine LaRue has spent more than three decades fighting for women and children. She sees her life's mission as addressing those issues that disproportionately affect women and children in this society. As Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, LaRue is responsible for legislative, regulatory and public affairs for the largest health care system in the State.

Faith C. Liguori, Ocean County Department of Human Services, Seaside Park
As Director of the Ocean County Department of Human Services, Faith Liguori has worked to expand opportunities and eliminate discrimination for women throughout the region. Liguori serves on many Ocean County organizations including the Housing Committee, the Human Services Advisory Council, the Women’s Commission and the Youth Services Commission.

Ginnie Littell, Brazer and Littell, L.L.C, Franklin
Virginia “Ginnie” Newman Littell is a partner in Brazer & Littell, L.L.C., which specializes in providing access to government and serving businesses and ethnic communities. She is also a founding member of the Board of Trustees for the Sussex County Child Advocacy Center, which was founded in 1997 and named “Ginnie’s House” in her honor.

Bharati Palkhiwala, Federation of Indian Americans, Paramus
A psychiatrist, Bharati Palkhiwala works with and advocates for women who have mental health issues and medical concerns, particularly in the Indian American community. She is active in the Federation of Indian Americans, and is the former president of the Association of Indians in America for New Jersey, the oldest and largest organization for Indians.

Anne Reilly, New Jersey Junior Leagues, Princeton Junction
Anne Reilly is Chair of the State Public Affairs Committee of the New Jersey Junior Leagues, which is dedicated to researching and advocating on behalf of the 4,000 women of the New Jersey Junior Leagues. Thanks to Reilly’s leadership, the Junior League has been at the forefront of advocating for childproof handguns, increased access to mammograms, and education opportunities.

Patricia Steingall, Hunterdon Medical Center, Washington
Patricia Steingall is responsible for the daily operations of the Nursing Department at Hunterdon Medical Center including critical oversight of the maternity and newborn center, pediatrics and respiratory therapy. She also serves as the liaison for ethical issues. Her caring and dedicated service has improved countless lives throughout Hunterdon County and beyond.

Karol Corbin Walker, NJ Bar Association, Morris Township
In 1995, Karol Corbin Walker became the first African American woman to become a Partner at a major New Jersey law firm, the firm of St. John & Wayne, L.L.C. In 2003, she became the first African American to serve as President of the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: Press Release--DCA News