2023 Annual Women of Achievement
"Empowerment. Connection. Community."
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Crowne Plaza Suffern
RBWN is proud to announce our 2023 Women of Achievement honorees!
Vivian England, Liaison to the Chairman of the Rockland County Legislature
Hope Wade, Hope Wade Designs -Rockland Fashion Week
Vivian England is a seasoned expert in public administration. She is currently the Liaison to the Chairman of the Rockland County Legislature and for almost two decades she served as the Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Safety and Change.
Deeply committed to social justice Vivian was the Vice- Chair of the Rockland County Commission of Human Rights for over two decades. In addition, she is the Immediate-Past Chair of the Board of Leadership Rockland and lead the effort to create Leadership Rockland’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Board Committee. She is also the coordinator for Leadership Rockland’s Multi-Cultural Communities and Social Justice Day. One of her favorite quotes is “she who believes in justice cannot rest. Read more...
Hope Wade was born in Kingston, Jamaica to the late Superintendent Eustace Blake and his wife Mavis Blake. She has 4 siblings.
She is a graduate of Convent of Mercy Academy ‘Alpha’ High School in Jamaica, and New York City Technical College and Cooper Union College in New York.
Hope is a fashion designer and is the owner and Executive Producer of Rockland Fashion Week. She owns her store Hope Wade Designs located on N Broadway in Nyack NY.
Her designs have graced the bodies of many women as well as celebrities. Her designs have been worn at the White House under President Obama by Darlene Love for The Gospel Tradition TV performance at the White House which was broadcast on Channel 11 WPIX. Read more...
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022-2023 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Jessica Caivano
Jessica will be graduating from Clarkstown High School North, with an overall grade point average of 98.5. Jessica’s Mock Trial advisor described her as a leader with a “high level of intellectual curiosity, a desire to engage with the greater society, and a tremendous work ethic.” Jessica served as the captain of her school’s championship mock trial team. She also served as the inaugural president of the World of Difference club at her school and as the sole student representative from her high school on the Clarkstown Board of Education. Jessica will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall, where she intends to study Political Science.
Rosie Fellig
Rosie is a resident of Suffern who will be graduating from The Frisch School in Paramus with an overall grade point average of 95.8. Rosie’s school counselor described her as an intellectually curious, resilient, and self-aware, and artistically brilliant student who “has a thirst for knowledge and wants to make a difference in the world.” Rosie was editor in chief of her school’s literary magazine, Kalliope, a founding member and co-president of her school’s Mental Health Awareness Committee, and is currently a host of her own YouTube channel in which she produces video essays. She also competed on the swim team and debate team. She has won silver and gold keys for her literary works from the Scholastic Alliance for Young Writers. Rosie will be taking a gap year before she begins her undergraduate degree and will be attending the Lindenbaum Seminary where she intends to study Biblical texts. She will then enroll at Brandeis University in the Fall of 2024 as a presidential scholar where she intends to pursue a degree in Psychology and Film.
Jeanne Joof
Jeanne is graduating from Rockland Community College with her Associates Degree. She was described by her reference as a resourceful, highly motivated student who is also “a kind and selfless human being.” Jeanne was also described as someone who can “seamlessly collaborate with others and think outside the box.” Jeanne’s passion for art, music and sustainability lead to her involvement in projects such as an internship at a Public Relations agency in the Travel & Tourism industry, an internship at RCC researching and advocating for improvements to the student experience, and a volunteer position at Wonder Girls, an afterschool program for young girls. Jeanne is planning to study Marketing for her Bachelor’s degree.
Mary Wholey
Mary completed her GED and Phlebotomy training at Rockland BOCES. Her teacher in the Phlebotomy Technician program described her as an excellent student who was “always eager to learn and help others in class, responsible and reliable.” Mary immigrated to the United States from Ireland at the age of 19. She has always had a passion for helping others. She has cared for many children as a nanny and as a mother. She is currently enrolled in the Certified Nursing Assistant program at Rockland BOCES, working towards certification that will allow her to pursue career opportunities in the field of nursing.
Thank you to our sponsors
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