The annual dinner honors female students who have distinguished themselves through academic merit, special achievements or the ability to overcome obstacles to pursue an education. The students are chosen by NCC faculty and staff members and college administrators.
Thirty-seven students have been named Women of Promise for 2007. Following dinner and the keynote talk by Comptroller Wyman, each student will be given a certificate and long-stem rose at a candlelight ceremony. The students come from Norwalk, Stamford, New Canaan, Westport, Fairfield, Ridgefield, Bethel, Bridgeport, Southport and Pound Ridge, N.Y. (See attached list with student names and hometowns.)
Previous Women of Promise keynote speakers have included WNBC television anchor Meredith Viera, former Kraft Foods executive Ann Fudge, and other distinguished women from the fields of business, communications, public service and industry.
Background on Comptroller Nancy Wyman
The first woman elected State Comptroller since the office was created in 1786, Nancy Wyman is the chief fiscal guardian for Connecticut's taxpayers.
Wyman, first elected statewide in 1994 and re-elected in 1998, 2002 and 2006, is responsible for paying the state's bills, keeping its books and representing the taxpayers in state fiscal matters.
Under Wyman's leadership, the Comptroller's office has significantly streamlined operations to enhance efficiency, accountability and public service.
The Comptroller issues a monthly report on state finances and writes a public report each year in which she analyzes the state budget as it relates to the economy and other factors. Wyman's office has received numerous awards for excellence in government reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.
The State Comptroller also oversees the state health plan for 188,000 state employees, retirees, and their dependents. As a mother and grandmother, Wyman understands the importance of taking an active role in important health-care issues. She has spent a great deal of time advocating for health issues affecting women, children and senior citizens--working to meet their medical needs while keeping costs down.
The recommendations of her Workgroup on the Uninsured laid the foundation for Connecticut's HUSKY plan, which makes health insurance available to the working poor.
Comptroller Wyman also has opened the state's Municipal Employee's Health Insurance Program to Connecticut's small businesses, municipalities and non-profit organizations - offering them the opportunity to purchase affordable, quality coverage at no additional cost to taxpayers.
In 2005, Wyman was named Chairwoman of the American Heart Association's Greater Hartford Heart Walk, and of the National Kidney Foundation of Connecticut's annual gala. She also has been involved for years in events seeking to raise funds for breast cancer research, and as spokeswoman for the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Red Ribbon holiday campaign.
Prior to her election as State Comptroller, Wyman served as State Representative (1987-1995) from the 53rd District. She was House Chairperson of the Education Committee and Chairperson of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education.
While a legislator, Wyman was noted for her work in the area of public education and named "Legislator of the Year" by the Connecticut Education Association.
From 1979-1987, Comptroller Wyman served on the Tolland Board of Education and was Vice-Chairperson for four of those years. She has contributed to the local, state and national education debate and is known as an ardent champion of public education.
NCC Women of Promise Award Winners
Student: Nominated By Faculty/ Staff Member :
From Norwalk
LuKendia Aurelien Elva Edwards
Kesha Dancy Karen Barnett
Tasha Daniels Christine Japeley
Martha Gurvich Joan Fitzsimmons
Noofar Inbar Dr. Mary Raddock
Joi Lee Margaret Dana Conway
Stacey Petzold Jennifer Wood
Nasha Pierre Jennifer Weeks
Elizabeth Negrao Steve Berizzi
Bernadine Nogueiro Suzanne Solensky
From Stamford
Nora Joseph Dean Pamela Edington
Sally O’Doherty Susan Seidell
Florentina Pamint Janie Burkhardt
Vashti Reddic Debbie Allen
Rodney Saint-Fleur Rose Giambrone
Susan Santagata Dottie Lay
Grisely Valdez Marina Rivera
Elizabeth Hernandez Dr Mary Schuler
Cynthia Inabinett Carolyn Thomas
Siti Crowell Diane Donovan
Diana Marin Melissa Slattery
From Westport
Marketa Gregorovicova Dr. Bill Grodman
Maureen Mollahan Marlene Adelman
Michelle Sawyer Susan Steiz
From New Canaan
Beverley Campbell Kathleen Hayes
Dorota Knoop Barbara Jarboe
From Fairfield
Dana Dulemba Mary Ann Tessier
Sharon Herrman John David Sneider
Erin Schley Tom Jackson
From Ridgefield
Oksana Baltsevych Lia Barone
From Southport
Niloufer Banaji Lauren Perlstein
From Bridgeport
Nekia Tanner Kim Csapo-Ebert
Carolina Vargas Geri Bernacki
Nadine Hyde Dr. Susan Puglisi
From Bethel
Wanessa Deshmukh Debra Simons
Kara Roos Dean Barbara Drotman
From Pound Ridge
Aleksandra Lukacz Craig Machado