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Five women to receive YWCA's Erskine Awards
May 05, 2014
The 2014 Katharine F. Erskine Award recipients, from left: Hazel Berry, Gail Carberry, Aleta Fazzone, Parlee Jones and Noreen Johnson Smith.
WORCESTER — Five women whose professional accomplishments have helped
improve the lives of women and girls in their communities will receive
the YWCA's Katharine F. Erskine Award during the annual Tribute to Women
luncheon at noon Tuesday at Mechanics Hall.
Parlee Jones will be honored in the Arts and Culture category;
Aleta Fazzone, Business and Law; Gail Carberry, Education; Noreen
Johnson Smith, Health, Science and Technology; and Hazel Berry, Social
Service and Government.
Ms. Jones is creator and founding director of OurStory
Edutainment, a multicultural learning institute that teaches black
history through education and entertainment. She is also a shelter
advocate at Abby's House.
Ms. Fazzone is the director of community and customer management
for National Grid's Central and Western Massachusetts division. She is
also involved with the Worcester Education Collaborative and Habitat for
Humanity.
Ms. Carberry is the president of Quinsigamond Community College.
She is a member of the Worcester Education Collaborative and the Early
Learning Leadership Advisory Council.
Ms. Johnson Smith is vice president of development and
advancement at Family Health Center of Worcester Inc. She was a key
contributor to the Massachusetts Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund
grant for the city of Worcester.
Ms. Berry is a detective in the Special Crimes Unit of the
Worcester Police Department. She serves as a member of the YWCA's
Daybreak Standing Committee and as a mentor for at-risk youth with the
Black Clergy Alliance.
Katharine Erskine was a longtime advocate for women who twice
served as YWCA president, in 1930 and 1960. Erskine Award recipients
show a commitment to the YWCA and Ms. Erskine's mission of empowering
women and girls and eliminating racism.
Sara Schweiger
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
2014 News
