Ms. Renee Haddock Dignity Award	Yvonne Hughes Outstanding Returning Adult Student Award	Jeanne Bund Impact Award	Margaret Mixon Spirit Award

Celebrating courageous Philadelphia-area women who have overcome difficult situations, made important achievements to improve their lives, and have found the spirit to change the lives of others and make a difference in our communities

Lutheran Settlement House is pleased to honor nine courageous women as the recipients of the 2006 Women of Courage: Women of Inspiration Awards. This year’s honorees have overcome incredible obstacles and made significant contributions to the community in the areas of Adult Education, Domestic Violence, Senior Services and Homeless Services.

Among this year’s recipients is Pennsylvania State Senator LeAnna Washington. “It is because of Senator Washington’s commitment to issues such as domestic violence and providing assistance to seniors and families in need that Lutheran Settlement House is delighted to honor her as the 2006 recipient of the Jane Addams Award,” says Beatriz Vieira, Executive Director, LSH.

Lutheran Settlement House (LSH), Verizon Wireless, Beneficial Savings Bank, Health Partners and the Department of Human Services, along with Comcast’s Lynn Doyle as this year’s Mistress of Ceremonies, will be recognizing these nine women at an awards ceremony and dinner on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at Loews Hotel Philadelphia at 6:00pm.

The Courage Award recognizes a survivor of domestic violence who has helped victims and other survivors overcome the many challenges associated with domestic violence. Maria Myers, from St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children was selected as the recipient of this year’s Courage Award. Ms. Myers had the courage and strength to leave her abusive spouse in the interest of protecting her daughter, thereby breaking the cycle of violence in her own family. A testament to Ms. Myer’s healing is her ability to share her story with others to provide guidance, support and counsel to women in their time of crisis.

The Purple Ribbon Award recognizes a woman who has demonstrated a strong commitment to education and to raising awareness about domestic violence in our community. This year’s recipient is Julie Cousler Emig, Co-Vice President of Health Promotion and Wellness at Congreso de Latinos Unidos. Among the many hats she wears, Ms. Cousler Emig is a volunteer on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Medical Fund, Congreso’s representative on the Mayor’s Taskforce on Domestic Violence, and a professional mentor to women in her community. Ms. Cousler Emig was selected because of her tireless advocacy on behalf of Latinas and their children, and for her demonstrated commitment to raise awareness about domestic violence in our community.

The Outstanding Returning Student Award recognizes a woman who has demonstrated initiative and tenacity by returning to school as an adult, and thereby serving as a role model to others. This year’s recipient is Yvonne Hughes, founder and Director of SCOPE Outreach Ministries. Mrs. Hughes was selected because she has demonstrated the courage to overcome obstacles to personal success in her life. In 1980, Ms. Hughes had to leave school to assist her husband financially. At the age of twenty-six, after giving birth to her twins, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosis, a hereditary disease that degraded her sight until she was legally blind. That didn’t stop Ms.Hughes from fulfilling her dream of receiving her degree in education, which she is pursuing at Eastern University. She also became an advocate for the disadvantaged and started a non-profit organization called H.E.A.L.E.D (Help Empower All Labeled Educationally Disadvantaged).

The Excellence in Adult Literacy Award recognizes a woman who has heightened public awareness of adult literacy needs in Philadelphia and has encouraged innovative learning at home, or in work and community settings. This year’s recipient is Mrs. Osie Butler, Deputy Warden for Administration at the Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility. Mrs. Butler, after earning her sergeant stripes (1980), lieutenant bar (1984), captain’s bars (1996) and her present warden leaf (2003), started the Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility Scholarship Committee on May 27, 2004. The Committee is responsible for raising and awarding $10,500 to staff members, particularly women, and members of their immediate families to attend an accredited college or vocational school. She also started the Hooked on Phonics Program for adult inmates and tailored the program to meet the needs of the Latino and Asian inmate population, who have limited English proficiency.

The Dignity Award recognizes a formerly homeless woman who has overcome great obstacles in her life or at work. This year’s recipient is Ms. Renee Haddock. Ms. Haddock is a remarkable woman and an exceptional example of dignity and integrity among Philadelphia’s formerly-homeless population. Ms. Haddock became homeless as a direct result of her 13-year struggle with drug addiction. In September 2004, after two years of sobriety, Ms. Haddock moved into Dignity Housing with her three young children. A year later, Ms. Haddock returned to school and enrolled at the Community College of Philadelphia in the Phlebotomy certification program to pursue a dream of working in the health care field. In February 2006, Ms. Haddock received her official certification and by March 1, 2006 she had secured a full-time position with Quality Healthcare in West Philadelphia.

The Impact Award recognizes a woman who has demonstrated a strong commitment to ending homelessness, and who has worked on behalf of homeless individuals. This year’s recipient is Jeanne Bund, who has focused her daily activities in finding solutions to homelessness. Recently Ms. Bund contributed her time and raised funds to help victims of hurricane Katrina acclimate to life in Philadelphia. After establishing a Lead Paint Abatement Training Program, in cooperation with Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Shelter and Services, Ms. Bund and her staff at the Philadelphia Health Institute (PHI) took the challenge to be full service providers. Her program now includes employment for homeless workers, housing for homeless families, and safer homes for children so they will no longer live in residences contaminated with lead. To this day, Jeanne Bund continues developing programs to eliminate the stress of the homeless.

The Spirit Award recognizes a woman who served as an advocate for the needs of Senior Citizens in the community. This year’s recipient is Ms. Margaret Mixon, Kitchen Manager and Head Cook at The Lighthouse Family School (Day Care and Head Start Program) who, at 62, continues to be a positive force in her family, church, community and workplace. She volunteers her time to coordinate and run The Lighthouse Beacon Food Distribution Program, which serves over 300 low income senior citizens and families in the community. In addition Ms. Mixon coordinates the Holiday celebrations and special educational events for the seniors benefiting from this program.

The Inspiration Award recognizes a woman over 60 years of age who has demonstrated a clear contribution to the community, and serves as an inspiration to other senior women. This year’s recipient is Rena M. Rodgers, Site Supervisor and Case Manager at One Day at a Time. Ms. Rodgers is an inspiration to other women. She has overcome many difficult obstacles in her life: at the age of thirteen she fought her addiction to drugs and alcohol; later, she was in and out of prison and abusive relationships. On March 17, 1994, after being homeless and hopelessly addicted for 34 years, she made a decision to get help and started to attend a drug program at One Day at a Time. Ms. Rodgers has worked her way up through the ranks, from volunteer to Project Director at two ODAAT sites, to her current position. In May 2003 Rena graduated from Community College of Philadelphia, majoring in Behavioral Health Human Services.