50th Anniversary

STATE HOUSE RECEPTION CELEBRATING VCW'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY,  April 9th, 2014

VCW's 50th anniversary logo

View our event program thanking those who have worked to improve the lives of Vermont women and girls as part of the Commission

Read House of Representatives resolution H.C.R. 293 commemorating our 50th anniversary

Read our editorial about the wage gap and our work

Listen to Vermont Public Radio commentary

Watch the Video (ORCA Media, 34 minutes) Montpelier’s ORCA Media captured the celebration. Featured speakers: VCW Commissioner Marion Milne, VCW Chair Marcia Merrill, Ally Richards of Governor Shumlin’s Office, Governor Madeline Kunin, Diane Derby of Sen. Leahy’s office, VCW Commissioner and Sen. Sanders’ Office, Tricia Coats for Congressman Welch, and Cary Brown, VCW Executive Director.

View Senator Leahy's Congressional Record statement honoring the work of VCW

Governor Kunin
Governor Kunin, event keynote speaker and former (and original) VCW Commissioner

 

Diane Derby reads a statement from Sen. Leahy's congressional record.
Diane Derby reads from Sen. Leahy's congressional record statement honoring VCW's anniversary

 

Commissioners Danielle Martel (holding Sen. Leahy's Congressional Record statement honoring VCW ) and Gretchen Baily
Commissioners Danielle Martel (holding Sen. Leahy's Congressional Record statement) and Gretchen Bailey

 

Center Sen. Leahy's Congressional Record statement, Right Sen. Sanders' statement, left Congressman Welch's statement
(Center) Senator Leahy's Congressional Record statement, (right) Senator Sanders' statement, (left) Congressman Welch's statement

 

Patricia Coates from Congressman Welch's office
Patricia Coates reads Congressman Welch's statement of support and celebration
View Congressman Welch's letter

 

VCW Commissioner Gretchen Bailey
VCW Commissioner Gretchen Bailey reads Senator Sanders' letter celebrating VCW's 50th
View Senator Sanders' letter

 

 VCW E.D. Cary Brown and Gov. Kunin with anniversary cake
VCW Executive Director Cary Brown and Gov. Kunin with anniversary cake

 

Commissioner Marion Milne
Commissioner Marion Milne opened the event with a speech addressing her experience

Excerpt from Marion's speech: "...My time on the Commission, through three governors, has been an enriching and enlightening experience. I have felt the strength of sisterhood, and I have discovered over and over that what we dream can come true, as long as we can stay focused. Change is hard. Tradition is often an excuse for not changing. Yet we must be patient and we must be smart. And we will prevail..."

 

Participants in the event
Event guests with programs

 

Former Commissioners Allan Mackey served in 1970's and Governor Kunin served in 1960's
Former Commissioners Allan Mackey (served in 1970's) holding his appointment letter, signed by Governor Kunin, who served on the Commission in 1960's

 

50th anniversary cake
Celebratory cake

 

Rep. Cole and VCW Chair Marcia Merrill
Rep. Joanna Cole (former Advisor to Commission) with VCW Chair Marcia Merrill, moderator of the event

 

Young women leaders
VCW staffer Claire Greene (center), Commissioner Ariel Wengroff (right) and friends gather to enjoy the cake

 

Wendy Morgan and Gretchen Bailey
Former Commissioner Wendy Morgan, Chief of Public Protection at VT Attorney General's office and current Commissioner Gretchen Bailey

 

Commissioner Frey, former Commissioner Sandy Dooley and Commissioner Marion Milne
Mother-daughter Commissioners Cathy Frey (left) and Marion Milne (right) with former Commissioner Sandy Dooley - the record holder for longest serving Commissioner at 19 years (center)

 

Event attendees numbered over 320
Event attendees numbered over 320

 

Judith Laura and Barbara
Former VCW Executive Director Judith Sutphen, Laura Lind-Blum VCW Advisor and Director of the Vermont Women's Business Center and former VCW Commissioner Barbara Morrow, Director of the Community Justice Center in Newport

 


State House card room display featured a presentation of VCW's history in photos

 

Rickey Gard Diamond, editor of Vermont Woman newspaper with Commissioner Charlotte Dennett
Rickey Gard Diamond, editor of Vermont Woman newspaper with Commissioner Charlotte Dennett

 

Barbara Rachelson of Lund and Tiffany Blumle Advisor from Vermont Works for Women
Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Executive Director of Lund and Tiffany Blumele VCW Advisor and Executive Director of Vermont Works for Women

 

VCW staff and Commissioner Lavarnway
VCW staff with Commissioner Nancy LaVarnway

 

Aly Richards, Gov. Shumlin's director of special projects and intergovernmental affairs
 Aly Richards, Gov. Shumlin's Director of Special Projects and Intergovernmental Affairs spoke of the Governor's support for the Commission

 

Cary Brown, VCW's Executive Director and former staffer Susan Sussman
Cary Brown, VCW's Executive Director and former VCW staffer Susan Sussman of Sen. Leahy's office

 

Secretary of Sate Jim Condos ad Sheila Reed of Voices for Vermont's Children
Secretary of State Jim Condos ad Sheila Reed of Voices for Vermont's Children

 

Carol and Lyn
Commissioner Carol Buchdahl and author/scholar of women's history Dr. Lyn Blackwell

 

VLS professor of constitutional law, Cheryl Hanna, daughter Samira Henninge and Dawn Ellis
Vermont Law School professor of constitutional law, Cheryl Hanna, daughter Samira Henninge and Dawn Ellis

 

Cary Brown addresses the Unfinished Agenda
Cary Brown, VCW's Executive Director presents her address: The Unfinished Agenda