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The YWCA of Darien/Norwalk honored six Darienites at its first-ever Women of Distinction Awards and Luncheon yesterday afternoon at the Country Club of Darien. Maureen Bloom, Meghan Moore, Charlotte Suhler, Penny Glassmeyer, Marcia Meinerth and Rachel Hathaway took home awards and commendations from State Rep. Terrie Wood. Emmy-winning journalist and Darien resident Ashleigh Banfield was also on hand as the event’s guest speaker.
“We are here today to celebrate the achievements of six remarkable women,” said Kristin Calve, president of the YWCA’s board of directors. “Women who have changed our community for the better with their leadership, vision, volunteerism and business acumen.” There was tremendous support from the community. There was such a high demand for tickets that the YWCA went over its original 200-seat capacity, “converting some tables of 10 to tables of 12,” said Amy Kiser, the group’s communications and marketing coordinator.
Banfield started the ceremony with a speech about the changing role of women in society, and the importance of the work done by the women being honored in particular. She said she hoped their work could help bring an end to our “age of incivility” first by talking about problems in our culture, and then finding solutions. “I want to enlist everyone in this room to join their ranks, join their leadership, and be at the vanguard in creating good people, good children and good communities,” she said.
The six women have experience working in Darien ranging from a few years to a few decades. Rachel Hathaway is the youngest of the group, receiving a special award specifically for high school students. She received the award primarily as the co-founder of the Teen PeaceWorks program encouraging awareness and prevention for teen dating violence.
The YWCA honored Penny Glassmeyer because of her contribution to Darien’s commerce, as a developer behind the Grove Street Plaza, sparking a boom of businesses downtown. Marcia Meinerth also made major contributions to the town’s appearance, as a member of the Beautification Commission and many other committees. Former Selectwoman Charlotte Suhler was honored as co-founder of the Fund for Women and Girls at the Fairfield Community Fund, and her former service as president of the YWCA Darien/Norwalk.
Maureen Bloom got the honor for her work with children, especially as founder of Maureen Bloom’s Playdates, a preschool program that now spans Darien, New Canaan and Rowayton. Meghan Moore has also done her fair share to help the children of Darien, as co-founder of the Playground for the Sound project to raise the money for a play area at Weed Beach, as well as her work with the YWCA’s Parent Awareness Network and the town Youth Commission.
