KIMBERLY BURRIS NAMED THIS YEAR'S CT'S WORKING WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Released: 05/09/08
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KIMBERLY BURRIS NAMED THIS YEAR'S CT'S WORKING WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Award Ceremony Kicks Off "Westfarms Working Women's Weekend"
FARMINGTON, CONN., May 9, 2008 - At a news conference held today, Kimberly Burris of Windsor Locks was named the 2008 Connecticut’s Working Woman of the Year - an annual award presented by Westfarms, L'Oreal Paris and the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame.
Burris was selected by an Advisory Committee who felt she displayed extraordinary strength and devotion to her work, family and community, as well as overcoming great adversity.
Burris is a single-mother, a certified substance abuse counselor at the Hartford Dispensary Bristol Clinic, a crisis counselor in Bristol Hospital's emergency department, and a mentor at an after-school program for adolescents. Furthermore, six years ago, when Burris's cousin had a baby girl whom she was unable to support, Burris selflessly stepped in and raised Jada as her own, offering a stable home environment, both emotionally and financially. She was nominated by three of her friends/co-workers, each who independently cited her enormous heart, passion for helping others and her sincerity.
The four runners-up include:
- Shirley Bloethe of Berlin
- Sherrie Price of Hamden
- Kim Tuttle of Farmington
- Nella Zydanowicz of West Hartford
"This award is designed to uncover exceptional women in Connecticut and share their stories with their communities, as well as statewide," said Christa Allen, Westfarms' marketing and sponsorship director. "Kim exemplifies the true meaning of the Connecticut Working Woman of the Year award. She is a reason for us to celebrate and sets an example for others. Over 100 nominations were submitted this year and it an inspiration to me and our entire panel of advisors to read the remarkable stories of these Connecticut women. We're thrilled to be able to publicly share their stories."
The event also paid special tribute to an Honorary Working Woman of the Year, Amy Jaffe Barzach, Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Boundless Playgrounds, for her dedication to helping communities create extraordinary playgrounds where all children, with and without disabilities, can play together. After the loss of her son, Barzach was able to channel her grief into a living memorial for him, developing the first universally acceptable playground in the country, Jonathan's Dream in West Hartford. Barzach's inspiration has led to over 100 Boundless Playgrounds built in 20 states and Canada.
The Advisory Panel of women who selected this year's award included notables such as former winners Stephanie Haines, Rosalind Best and Donna Palomba; Carol Hamilton, president of L'Oreal Paris; Allison Demers, Lite 100.5 FM WRCH host; Kara Sunland, co-host of WFSB-TV's Better Connecticut; Katherine Wiltshire, executive director of the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame and Westfarms' marketing and sponsorship director, Christa Allen.
The award also signifies the kickoff to the fourth annual Westfarms Working Women's Weekend, which was made official with a Governor's Proclamation. Paying tribute to women from across the state, Governor M. Jodi Rell has declared it Working Women's Weekend, encouraging all hard-working women to take a break from their busy lives and do something special for themselves.
Women make up half the state's workforce. But playing the daily role of employee, wife, mother, homemaker and volunteer is much more than a nine-to-five job. Westfarms, L'Oreal Paris and the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame have teamed up to recognize Connecticut's women with a weekend-long event with activities designed to pamper women.
"Women today juggle so many responsibilities on a number of fronts," said Carol Hamilton, president of L'Oreal Paris. "We are delighted to share this Mother's Day with Connecticut's extraordinary women to recognize and pamper them in a way that they deserve."
The free, weekend-long event at Westfarms, presented by L'Oreal Paris, takes place from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, in which women can indulge in everything they love, including free mini-makeovers, skin analysis, chair massages, hand treatments, food sampling, giveaways and more.
The event continues on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM to celebrate Mother's Day at the L'Oreal Paris store, offering free side-by-side mini makeovers, mini-manicures, skin analysis, chocolate-covered treats and more. Plus a free mother/daughter photo shoot including 5X7 print-outs.
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