(February 2010)

BURLINGTON BPW ANNOUNCES 2009 WOMAN OF THE YEAR, EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AND WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

The Burlington Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) organization presented its 2009 Woman of the Year, Employer of the Year and Woman of Achievement Awards November 11, 2009 at the Best Western Windjammer Conference Center in South Burlington, Vt. Burlington resident Barbara Swinton was named 2009 Woman of the Year, South Burlington-based United Way of Chittenden County was named 2009 Employer of the Year and Laurie Hammond, owner of Triple Loop Skate and Dance in Essex Junction, received the 2009 Woman of Achievement Award.
A BPW member for 40 years, Barbara Swinton was honored as the 2009 Woman of the Year in recognition of her years of loyal service and unwavering commitment to BPW. Swinton’s numerous past BPW roles include state president, local president, and various state and local committee chair positions. A graduate of Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vt., she retired from the dietary department of the former Mary Fletcher Hospital/Medical Center Hospital of Vermont after 35 years of service. In addition to her BPW roles, Swinton has selflessly volunteered at many community organizations, including the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Flynn Theater and area schools.
Recognized for both creating a healthy work environment for its employees and contributing to a healthy community, the 67-year-old United Way of Chittenden County (UWCC) was named 2009 Employer of the Year. At UWCC, more than 80 percent of employees are female and many balance family and work responsibilities on a daily basis. “This is the most family friendly and family supportive organization I know of,” said Laurie Dana, a staff member in the UWCC Volunteer Center. In addition, UWCC was recognized for its affordable employee benefits package, earned time off, discounted gym membership opportunity and evaluation and salary benchmarking practices. UWCC Executive Director Gretchen Morse accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
Small business owner Laurie Hammond of Colchester was named 2009 Woman of Achievement in recognition of her support of women, children and the community. A graduate of the Micro Business Development Program run by the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Hammond has first-hand experience in supporting start-up entrepreneurs, and has served both on the Job Start Loan Program Statewide Board and the board of Community Capital of Vermont. She mentors women and students interested in learning about entrepreneurship, provides on-the-job training and employment to teens and women, volunteers regularly for Women Helping Battered Women and she and her staff members sew fleece blankets for COTS shelter residents each holiday season.
Founded in 1949, Burlington BPW is affiliated with Vermont BPW and BPW Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) research and education organization. The work of BPW Foundation supports workforce development programs and workplace policies that recognize the diverse needs of working women, communities and businesses.