8/1/2008 - Maine Women Leaders Honored at ME Dems' Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008
CONTACT: REBECCA POLLARD, 772-4353, RPOLLARD@MAINEDEMS.ORG
Winners include Passamaquoddy activist Vera Francis, long-time political aide Mary McAleney, Red Cross Director Hillary Roberts, and IT entrepreneur Rebecca Weinstein
(PORTLAND, MAINE) - Four women were honored last night for their extraordinary leadership and service to their communities at the Maine Democratic Party's Tribute to Maine Women Leaders event held in Portland.
Chosen from more than 80 nominees, the fundraising event recognized Maine women who excelled in four categories: Social Activism, Government Innovation, Community Organizing, and Corporate Entrepreneurship. Winners are listed below:
Social Activist Award: VERA FRANCIS - A Passamaquoddy activist who has provided a leading voice for her community's efforts to protect the land, sea and cultural heritage of their people against environmental and social injustices. An accomplished scholar, Francis also is co-founder of the Cobscook Community Learning Center and has participated in the Parker Palmer Courage to Teach program. She was noted for her "wisdom, honesty, clarity and quality of spirit, which is deep and bright all at once."
Government Innovator Award: MARY MCALENEY - McAleney is the former chief of staff to Senator George Mitchell and the former Director of the Small Business Administration of New England. McAleney, who lives in South Portland, was noted for using "her influence to open doors for many young women. ...She never hesitates to advocate for what's right, and wherever she goes she pulls several others up with her."
Community Organizing Award: HILLARY ROBERTS - As one of Maine's young female leaders, Roberts quickly rose from intern to Director of Emergency Services for the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross in just a few short years. She created Camp Red Cross for Maine youth and worked closely with FEMA to coordinate disaster relief after the recent Aroostook County floods. She also has served on many statewide and community organizations in the Bangor area. Roberts "is a strong and effective leader with a heart deeply embedded in her Maine roots," said Steven Butterfield, who nominated her.
Corporate Entrepreneur Award: REBECCA WEINSTEIN - As President and CEO of Identity Cops, a Westbrook start-up that provides information technology protection against identity theft, Weinstein is working to grow Maine's high-tech economy. She holds a B.A., two graduate degrees, a law degree and an M.S.W. and has been quoted in publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones' Market Watch. Weinstein, a Portland resident, has experience that "allows her to cross industry lines and manage a complex array of business development issues."
Joining the award winners were special guests Chellie Pingree, the Democratic nominee for U.S. House District #1; Diana Allen, wife of Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Tom Allen; State Senate President Beth Edmonds; Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell; and House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree.
For photos of the winners, click here. If you need a higher resolution photo, email Rebecca at rpollard@mainedems.org.
