16 Women Creating History in the Erie region to be honoured by Mercy Center.

The Mercy Center for Women, an organization in Erie, Pennsylvania, is set to recognize 16 women for their service to their community. The Women Making History event has been held annually for the past 30 years and has recognized 12 or more women each year. The executive director of Mercy Center, Jennie Hagerty, explained that the number of women recognized is not as important as their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. This year, the 16 women chosen for the honour were selected for their diversity and lifelong commitment to service.

The 16 women to be recognized at the Women Making History event are Cheryl Bates, Susan Paradise Baxter, Darlene Bush, Jacqui Catrabone, Georgia Del Freo, Amy Eisert, Elizabeth Anne Hirz, Sarah Weis Humphrey, Marva Keys-Morris, Susanne Kuligowski, Karen Anne Morahan, Sister Margaret Pellerite, Kelly Stolar, Carla Storrs, Ruth Thompson, and Kathy Woodard. Anyone in the community could nominate a woman for the honour via Mercy Center’s website, and a committee selected the recipients.

Hagerty emphasized the importance of recognizing the achievements of Women Making History, saying that these women “freely give of their time to serve in a variety of roles” and provide inspiration for others to give back. The honorees are said to embody the values of the Sisters of Mercy, who sponsor the Mercy Center for Women, including spirituality, community, service, social justice, and concerns for the environment, immigration, nonviolence, racism, and women.

The Women Making History event will take place on April 3 at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst University. The event promises to celebrate the commitment and achievements of these 16 remarkable women. The event is free and open to the public. It will include a short video about each honoree and citations presented by Erie Mayor Joseph Schember and Erie County Council member Terry Scutella.