Upcoming Event Honors Two Worthy Women

Author: Karen Acheson

On Thursday, Leadership, Education, Action and Diversity International (LEAD) will host a Women's History Month celebration honoring two outstanding women who, according to the event's press release, "have greatly contributed to Vermont's history."

The event will take place in Burlington, Vt., at the Radisson Hotel from 6 to 8 p.m. and will include a musical performance by Tammy Fletcher.

LEAD, which has been in existence since September 1999, is an organization whose mission is to "encourage people to develop individual leadership skills and capabilities, promote equality and social justice, assist people to become involved in their communities and support diversity and tolerance in our society."

Last year the organization honored Marion Gray from Montpelier, Vt. Due to the overwhelming task of choosing one woman for this year's title of most outstanding woman in Vermont history, LEAD decided to honor two women, Sally Conrad and Mariafranca Morselli.

Conrad is the founding member of the Women's Union, an organization dedicated to representing no or low-income women. She served as a Vermont senator for eight years and played an important role as an advocate for women's issues in legislature.

According to Gail Zatz, the event's coordinator, "She brought a woman's voice to the Senate at a time when there weren't many women in the Senate." She served as chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee for six years.

Morselli received her doctorate degree in Italy in 1946, an educational achievement well ahead of her time that helped set the stage for other women in academics. In 1947 she arrived at Quincy College in Quincy, Ill., where she taught as an assistant professor of biology.

In 1949 she returned to Italy, only to come back to the United States seven years later. Upon arriving in the United States she "hit the ground running, tirelessly working on women's issues," according to the press release.

In 1983 she was the first woman to receive the Outstanding Service Award in Research from the North American Maple Syrup Council, and in 1985 the association of Burlington Professional Women honored her as one of Vermont's most exciting women. She is currently involved in organizations including the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women.

Following Morselli's retirement, friends, students and colleagues of Morselli established the annual Mariafranca Morselli Leadership Award, which recognizes an undergraduate woman who has made special contributions in the advancement of women at the University of Vermont.

Zatz stressed that the event is open to anyone who wishes to, "come and help honor these two women." The organization has a Web site (www.leadintl.org) where those interested can get a sense of their projects as well as register for the event.

However, those wishing to simply show up are welcome to do so as well.