Vermont Works for Women's 25th anniversary will be celebrated on
Nov. 9 with the debut of Labor of Love, an exhibit of photos and
interview excerpts that recognizes and honors women who are
passionate about their work, who are an inspiration to others, and
who exemplify excellence in their field. They come from all parts
of Vermont; they are farmers, doctors, tattoo artists, college
presidents, and electricians. The celebration and exhibit debut
takes from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Elley-Long Music Center at St.
Michael's College.
"Through Labor of Love, we not only pay tribute to our honorees,
but to work itself," commented Tiffany Bluemle, Executive Director
of VWW. "At its best, work not only pays the bills but is a vehicle
for self expression. It can expose us to mentors who encourage us
and challenge us to stretch. And it can connect us to a broader
community, whose needs and opportunities can influence our opinions
and the choices we make over time."
Two local women, will be honored at the event: Tara Kelly,
executive director for Rutland Area Farm and Food Link, and Kim
Furlong and Carolyn Dicicco, owners/managers of the Barnard General
Store.
Vermont Works for Women describes their accomplishments as
follows:
TARA KELLY
Tara Kelly is the Executive Director of the Rutland Area Farm and
Food Link (RAFFL), a community development nonprofit working to
revitalize the Rutland region through local farm and food
initiatives. Kelly is an advocate for sustainable local agriculture
and healthy, thriving food systems on the local, statewide, and
regional levels. She is a founding member of RAFFL and the
organization's first executive director.
Kelly has enthusiastically led and championed the local food
movement in the Rutland area. While Kelly is focused on
agriculture, she views her work as multidisciplinary and never
isolated. Thus, she works toward "big picture" goals that connect
farming with health and nutrition initiatives, sustainability
movements, and economic development efforts. She actively forges
new partnerships between different community organizations and
stakeholders to build a stronger, more dynamic movement that fixes
root problems-not with band aid solutions-but with real
transformation.
Through her grassroots work, Kelly has also become a resource
for other nonprofit and local food organizations throughout the
state.
Tara Kelly regularly presents at conferences, workshops, and
classes on topics ranging from local food distribution to nonprofit
board management. She is actively involved with the Vermont's Farm
to Plate ten-year strategic plan for local agriculture and served
on the allocations committee for the Vermont Community Foundation's
Farm Disaster Relief Fund following Tropical Storm Irene. Thanks to
Kelly's enthusiasm and thoughtfulness, Rutland and Vermont's food
systems are stronger because of her leadership.
KIM FURLONG AND CAROLYN DICICCO
Furlong and Dicicco have owned and operated the Barnard General
Store in Barnard, Vt. for "many years", in fact it is one of the
oldest running store in Vermont. Their title is not "just one" but
one of "many", they just do it all. Friends and neighbors say they
are some of the hardest working people they've known. They live and
work this store 24/7. There genuine love for each human person is
just admirable, they somehow hold a very special place in their
heart for each and every person in the Barnard community as well as
for those who walk through the doors of the Barnard General Store
where as you as a individual feel there warmth and their love and
happen to make one feel very special. This is a very unique quality
of both of them.
Labor of Love moves to the Welcome Center in Winooski (on the
traffic circle) on Nov. 10, with an open house scheduled from 2-5
p.m. The exhibit stays in Winooski through December.
Vermont Works
for Women helps women and girls recognize their potential and
explore, pursue and excel in work that leads to economic
independence. For more information, call (802) 655-8900 or
visit www.vtworksforwomen.org
