New President and Board and Awards Presented for SE CT Women's Network

Susan M. Dombrowski was voted in as the President of the Southeastern CT Women’s Network for 2012-2013. In the past five years as a Board member, she has brought her interpersonal dynamics, energized patience and effectiveness as an active member over the past 6 years as a member and the past 3 years as a Board member. She wants the Network membership to “get to know one another, to grow both personally and professionally by speaking up and out, for themselves to get what they need.” As Network President over the next year, she will be continuing the spirit and focus of the past few years, to enhance members’ experiences with focusing on outstanding programs, prolific networking and the development of a mentoring program. Susan is the Director of Marketing and PR at CorePlus Federal Credit Union, and also serves as an elected official in the Town of Franklin on the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Finance. 

Other members of the Board are: VP Deb McGrath; Secretary Carol Burgess; Treasurer Patti Rodgers-Longo; 3 year terms: Pam Gracey, Kate McDonald, and Donna Stefanski; 2 year terms: Shannon Mack, Emma Palzere-Rae, and Gail Weber; 1 year term: Pamela Atkins and Stacey Jimenez. Additional active Board members are Kathy Pooler, Judy Ricketts-White, Francine Schwartz.

There also were two annual awards announced for special services, Woman of the Year and the Heron Award.

Camilla Ross was honored as Woman of the Year for 2013. Her amazing energy, whether it is physical, emotional, or aesthetic energy, has been a quantum force in bringing theater to the region that puts a human face on the countless challenges faced by individuals and our society at large. As the Founder and President of Emerson Theater Collaborative, she has been an actress, director and producer of countless plays during the collaborative’s five years. She is a one-woman powerhouse, but hopes that the rest of us will join her in sharing our own talents and energies, changing the lives of others as we change ourselves as well. Camilla says,”What is the value of a woman if not her own existence? Her value is priceless! We have a choice to stand up as women and take our place in this world…Women Matter!”

The 16th Heron Award was presented to Patty Rodgers-Longo, recognized for her quiet leadership, offering suggestions with reasoned consideration, met with like behavior by others. Kathleen O’Beirne, who presented the award said, “She is proof that making a difference often happens in small steps taken and gracious respect for others’ feelings and input.”

For more information, go to www.sectwomensnetwork.org.