[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1863-E1864] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING THE CARLOW COLLEGE WOMEN OF SPIRIT ______ HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Thursday, September 28, 1995 Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor some very special women--the Carlow College Women of Spirit for the year 1994-95. Carlow College is a private Catholic college for women in Pittsburgh. The college, founded in 1929, created its Women of Spirit Award to call attention to women in the Pittsburgh area who exemplify the college's ideals of competent and compassionate service in both their personal and professional lives. The college presents a Woman of Spirit Award every month, and it holds a gala event each year to pay tribute to the previous year's recipients. This year's Women of Spirit Award recipients include prominent members of the area's business community, several leading educators, and women who are active in many local charities. In fact, many Women of Spirit have accomplishments in more than one of these fields, as well as in their personal and spiritual lives. I would like to mention each award recipient personally. Ellie Wynard, Ph.D., is a respected professor of English and lecturer at Carlow College. She has been influential in developing the women's studies curriculum at Carlow College. She is also the author of two books about the effects of divorce. Carol Neyland, a vice president at Mellon Bank, has a distinguished professional career in the fields of banking and finance. She has also been active in community service, especially in her involvement with youth organizations. She is a bona fide scholar as well, with a graduate degree in Greek and Latin as well as an M.B.A. Marie Lowry is a retired businesswoman with a remarkable record of public service. She has been a member of the steering committee for Pittsburgh's Walk for the Cure for the last 2 years and a board member for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in Pittsburgh. She has been a volunteer for Catholic Charities as well. Ceci Sommers, now retired from the position of vice president of community relations at WQED-FM, was the executive producer of a number of award-winning broadcasts. She is the winner of 10 Golden Quill Awards, and she is widely credited with developing the industry standard for classical music stations. She has been a leading supporter of the arts in Pittsburgh for more than 20 years. [[Page E 1864]] Linda Dickerson is the publisher of Executive Report, Pittsburgh's respected business magazine. She has also been active in the city's corporate and civic life. She has been responsible for much of the success of the Junior Achievement Program, and she has made significant contributions to efforts to stimulate economic growth in this region. She recently received the Vision Award from the Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind. Audree Connelly Wirginis is a businesswomen of exceptional skill who was also honored for her ability to incorporate her dedication to her family and her faith into her demanding professional life. She is currently involved in the construction of a hotel in the Vatican to house visiting clergy and, during papal elections, the College of Cardinals. Cecile Springer is the president of a consulting firm that specializes in corporate and philanthropic programs and institutional development. Ms. Springer serves on the Pittsburgh Diocese Task Force on Unemployment, the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Housing Opportunities, Inc., the Women's Center and Shelter Advisory Committee, and the Allegheny County Year 2000 Economic Development Task Force. She is also a board member for City Theater. Marilyn Donnelly--poet, wife, and mother--has published more than 80 poems. She is a member of the board of directors for Pittsburgh Public Theater, Beginning with Books, and the Chimbote Foundation. She also serves on the advisory council for the International Poetry Forum and the women's committee for the Carnegie Museum of Art. Dr. Corrine Barnes is an internationally recognized pediatric nurse educator, clinical specialist, author, and researcher whose studies have included childhood cardiac conditions and organ transplants. She has served on a number of boards and commissions concerned with children's health and welfare. Dolores Wilden was responsible for developing the Nation's first primary health care plan designed exclusively for children. Now retired from a career in banking, finance, and community affairs administration, she is actively involved in local and regional community concerns. Frieda Shapira, vice chair of the Pittsburgh Foundation, serves on the boards of more than 20 service and arts organizations, including the United Way of Allegheny County, the Forbes Fund, WQED, the Community College of Allegheny County, the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Public Theater, the Pittsburgh Opera, the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Forbes Hospice Founders Society, the American Jewish Committee, the Pittsburgh Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation of Pittsburgh, the Jewish National Fund, the United Jewish Federation, Beginning with Books, the Center for Victims of Violent Crime, the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Project 90, and the board of visitors for the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh. Her life is an outstanding example of philanthropy and civic leadership. Sister Jane Scully is the president emeritus of Carlow College. As a director of the Gulf Oil Corporation, she was the first women to serve on the board of a top-ten multinational corporation. She has also served on the boards of Carlow College, Holy Cross Hospital Foundation, and the Sisters of Mercy Ministry Corporation. In the 1960's, she was active in the national women's movement. She spoke eloquently in favor of women's rights to increased educational and economic opportunity, as well as expanded roles for women in politics and business. In honoring Sister Jane, Carlow College celebrates her remarkable success in translating her religious convictions into worldly accomplishments. Dr. Rosemarie E. Cibik, now retired, was the Secretary of Education and superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Pittsburgh for a number of years. Prior to that, she served as the superintendent of the Baldwin-Whitehall School District for 8 years. She has received numerous other awards for her professional achievements, including the Distinguished Service Award from the National Council of Administrative Women in Education, Pittsburgh Woman of the Year in Education, the Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania Award, and designation as Outstanding Woman in Education by the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Association of University Women. Mr. Speaker, all of these women have a number of shared characteristics--energy, enthusiasm, intelligence, compassion, competence, and commitment to their community. Carlow College has chosen well in selecting them as its Women of Spirit for this year. ____________________