2009 Susan M. Hunter Endowment Award and

2009 Laurel M. Rans Memorial Scholarship

Susan M. Hunter Endowment Award Information

Susan M. Hunter enjoyed an extremely successful and far-reaching career in corrections. The ultimate hallmark of Susan’s work was the change she brought about by redirecting our collective focus on collaboration, diversity and giving voice to all stakeholders in the public policy construct for corrections and public safety.

The lion’s share of credit for the very existence of AWEC belongs to Susan. She was very clear in expressing her desire that AWEC establish an objective process for recognizing and celebrating the work of women correctional leaders who themselves empower and celebrate women in corrections. Susan’s goal was to establish a vehicle that would bring national recognition to an individual woman’s commitment to and efforts on behalf of developing other women correctional leaders: Each One, Teach One.

Susan’s selection of AWEC to receive her endowment in support of this national award speaks volumes about her commitment to and vision for the organization. Please support Susan’s vision by nominating a woman correctional leader who has empowered and celebrated the development of other women in corrections.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria, as established by the AWEC Awards Committee in concert with Susan’s wishes and approved by the Executive Committee, are:

r    A woman who empowers other women and celebrates the work of women in corrections;

r A woman who is or has been in a senior correctional leadership position; and

r A woman who personifies the leadership characteristics which AWEC represents.

r While AWEC membership is not a requirement, candidates who have been actively involved in the organization will accrue additional consideration.

There is a restriction: No current member of AWEC's Executive Committee or Awards Committee is eligible to receive the award.

AWEC Executive Committee: Francine Perretta, President; Annie Harvey, President-Elect; Kathy Waters, Vice-President; Judy Lambert, Treasurer; Mary Bogan de Belmonte, Secretary; and Andie Moss, Immediate Past President. 

AWEC Awards Committee Members:  Sharon Johnson Rion, Chair; Mary Bogan de Belmonte, Evelyn Bush, Joyce Conley, Teena Farmon, Joann Morton, Brenda Murrell, Rose Williams, and Pam Withrow.

Susan M. Hunter Endowment Award Application Process

Applications may be submitted by: (a) one or more individuals who are currently working in the field of corrections; (b) correctional agencies; or (c) correctional membership organizations.

r     All applications are to be mailed to: Sharon Johnson Rion, AWEC Awards Committee Chair, 1117 Boone Ridge Road, Burns, TN 37029, sjohnrion@aol.com . 

r   The application must include sufficient, specific information that speaks directly to the candidate’s success in meeting the eligibility requirements.

r Applications must be received no later than September 1, 2009.

r Applications will be considered by the Awards Committee, and a final selection made no later than October 1, 2009.

r The selection by the Awards Committee is final and will be announced immediately after the notification to the successful candidate.  The formal presentation, which  includes a monetary award of $1,000.00, will be made at the AWEC Annual Membership Training Institute & meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, date to be announced.

r   All applications MUST include a cover sheet (see download page for form) that includes:

 t Name, Title, Agency, Address, Telephone Number, and Email of Person submitting the application;

 t Name of Agency or Organization sponsoring the application, if applicable; 

 t Name of Candidate;

 t Title and Agency of Candidate (if the candidate is retired, please provide title and agency of last position held);

 t Contact Information for the Candidate including address, telephone, and email;

r Complete resume of the Candidate's career to date;

r Specific accomplishments that document the Candidate's efforts to empower and celebrate other women in corrections; 

r Specific documentation that the Candidate personifies the leadership characteristics which AWEC represents; 

r Letters, which inclde specific information supporting the Candidates nomination, from supervisors, peers, subordinates, and organizations or which she has been a member;

r Letters from women whose careers benefitted from the Candidate's efforts; and

r Other materials specifically germane to the nomination.   

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO:  Sharon Johnson Rion, Chair,  AWEC Awards Committee Chair, 1117 Boone Ridge Road, Burns, TN 37029,  sjohnrion@aol.com

Laurel M. Rans  Memorial Scholarship Information

Consistent with her vision and commitment to the continuing development of executive women in corrections, the Laurel M. Rans Memorial Scholarship is intended to support the attendance of one of our members to the annual meeting.

This scholarship is available to eligible members for the purpose of providing funds to attend AWEC’s annual meeting. This scholarship is specifically designated for those actively working members who, by virtue of their positions in their organizations, do not make the decision that would fund their travel to the annual training conference and business meeting, whose agencies do not provide financial support for attending the meeting, and who without additional financial support are not likely to attend.

Eligibility Criteria

r AWEC member in good standing;

r By virtue of her position within her agency/organization, does not make the funding decision relative to her attendance at the AWEC annual meeting;

r Whose agency does not provide financial support for attending the meeting; and

r Is actively employed.

Scholarship Value

The successful candidate will receive a check for $500.00 and have her annual training conference and business meeting registration fee waived.

Laurel M. Rans Scholarship Submission Process

All interested members, who are eligible for consideration to receive the Laurel M. Rans Scholarship, are invited to submit a letter to the Awards Committee. The letter should include:

(1)   Name, title, agency, address, telephone number, and email address;

(2)   Confirmation that her agency is not providing any financial support for her attendance; and,

(3)   Narrative explanation of benefits of attending the AWEC meeting and how she will use attendance at the meeting to the benefit of not only herself but also other women in corrections.

Candidates are encouraged to submit their letters via email, which will allow them to be readily shared with all the Awards Committee members. The email address for the Awards Committee Chair is: sjohnrion@aol.com.

Candidates electing to submit hard copy letters should mail them to: Sharon Johnson Rion, Chair,  AWEC Awards Committee Chair, 1117 Boone Ridge Road, Burns, TN 37029. 

The deadline for submission of Laurel Rans Scholarship Applications is September 1, 2009. 

All email messages must be received and

all mailed letters must be postmarked by that date.