This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

5th Annual Dr. Henry C. Lee Award & Recognition Dinner

On Friday, March 21st Jane Doe No More will host their 5th Annual Dr. Henry C. Lee Award & Recognition Dinner at the Waterview in Monroe, CT. Two outstanding individuals will be recongnized for their extraordinary commitment and unwavering dedication to ending the silence, and improving the lives of sexual assault survivors.

This year's award recipients are Erin Merryn, nationally recognized speaker, writer and activist and Peggy Panagrossi, Executive Director of Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury.

Erin Merryn of Illinois was sexually assaulted as a child and threatened into silence. As a young woman Erin made the brave decision to expose this silent epidemic of childhood sexual abuse, when she turned her childhood diary of pain and abuse into a self-published book titled 'Stolen Innocence'. Erin is now the force behind Erin's Law, which requires school districts to teach age appropriate child sexual abuse education to elementary schools students, school teachers, administrators and parents. To date this law has been passed in 10 states, and has been or is being introduced in dozens more. Erin will testify for the law in Hartford, Connecticut on March 21st. Erin was featured on Oprah and named one of Glamour Magazine's 2012 Women of the Year.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For over 26 years, Peggy Panagrossi's dedication and leadership has paved the way for Safe Haven to grown and flourish. During Peggy's tenure, the agency has expanded its domestic violence conseling programs, adopted the sexual assault crisis services program, enhanced services for children, and opened a satellite office in Southbury, Connecticut. Always community-minded, Peggy resides in Cheshire and has served on numerous boards in the greater Waterbury Area.

"We are thrilled to honor two remarkable women this year with the Dr. Henry C. Lee Award". says Donna Palomba, founder of Jane Doe No More. "They exemplify the spirit of this award and inspire each of us in 2014 to renew our call to action in the fight against sexual assault".

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A Jane Doe No More scholarship will also be awarded at the event. Tickets for this powerful and celebratory event are $125 per person and include open bar, cocktail reception, dinner and dessert. Tables of 10 may be reserved and event sponsers are being sought. Please visit www.janedoenomore.org under Events for more information and to purchase tickets.

Jane Doe No More, Inc. was founded in 2007 to improve the way society responds to victums of sexual assault. Through education, awareness, advocacy and support programs, Jane Doe No More has had a direct and lasting impacton sexual assault victims in Connecticut and across the country. To learn more, visit www.janedoenomore.org

Media Contact

Carol Wilton

carol@janedoenomore.org

203.729.0245.

Jane Doe No More, Inc.

www.JaneDoeNoMore.org

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?