Junior League of Summit is proud to announce that Peggy Salisbury has been chosen as the recipient of the annual Jean Hudson Gano Community Service Award for 2019. This award is given every year to either an individual or nonprofit organization in memory of and in tribute to Jean Hudson Gano, a JLS member who died of breast cancer in 1997 at the age of 41 years old. Jean’s exemplary and extraordinary commitment to volunteerism, community service and particularly to issues regarding women and children, was an inspiration to all those that were touched by her efforts. “Peggy Salisbury’s commitment to women’s issues and care were very similar to those of Jean Hudson Gano’s,” says Community Liaison and former JLS President, Elizabeth Dutkewych. Like Jean, who was one of the founding members, Peggy was devoted to Pathways, a program at the Connection in Summit, which provides support, education and wellness programs for women with cancer.
As one of the most committed patient educators in the Women’s Cancer Teaching project at Pathways, Peggy made sure that medical professionals saw patients as humans with feelings, fears, families, and lives outside of their illness and understood their needs and stresses. It was extremely important to her that women were heard and listened to by the medical community and to that end she taught doctors, residents, medical students, and nurses for more than 16 years. Peggy felt very passionate about the Pathways’ Dragon Boat SOS (Save Our Sisters) team, which was a way for many of those dealing with cancer to exercise, get support, and heal together. She encouraged many women to join the group so they too could benefit from the support and also served as co-captain and on the advisory board for many years. In addition to her devotion to all aspects of Pathways, Peggy was a lifelong member of the Girl Scouts of America and achieved the highest rank in the organization of first class and was a member of the Union County Senior Citizens Council and Future City. In 2018, she received the Women of Excellence lifetime achievement award by the Union County Commission on the Status of Women for all of her amazing work on behalf of women in our community and beyond.
Unfortunately, Peggy Salisbury lost her battle with breast cancer last spring. The Jean Hudson Gano Award was presented to Peggy’s daughter, Rachel Woliansky, at the Junior League’s General Membership Meeting on October 22, 2019.
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The Junior League of Summit is a nonprofit, charitable, and educational organization of women who are committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. For more information about the Junior League of Summit or to inquire about becoming a member, please visit the website at www.jlsummit.org or contact the office at 908-273-7349. Those interested in donating to the League, please visit https://www.jlsummit.org/?nd=donate_summary.
