2007 'Women of Grace' Award Recipients

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~ Marjorie Smith ~

Marjorie Smith (above picture right) is the chief of the Special Victim's Bureau of the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office where she has been a prosecutor of domestic violence, child abuse, homicides and sex offenses for over 20 years. She has also participated in the organization and design of the Dutchess County Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Program and serves as the District Attorney's liaison to that program. Marjorie is a member of numerous organizations dealing with domestic violence and sexual assault, and serves as statewide educator and trainer for police agencies, rape crisis, crime advocacy and domestic violence response personnel.

 ~Joan Posner ~

Joan Posner (above picture middle) has served as the Principal Court Attorney for the Hon. Damian J. Amodeo (Dutchess County Family Court Judge and Acting New York State Supreme Court Justice) since 1989. She was also the principal author and co-chair of the committee that developed the Dutchess County Domestic Violence Bench Manual for Town and Village Judges which became a statewide model. Joan is the Dutchess County Family Court's representative on the Steering Committee for the Universal Response to Domestic Violence. She is also a representative on the Gender Fairness Committee for the Ninth Judicial District and serves as a member of the Citizen's Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence.

Special Recognition Awards

~ Karen 'Connie' Morabito ~

Karen 'Connie' Morabito (above picture left) began working at Grace Smith House in October of 1981. Connie had never been involved in causes, didn't know what domestic violence was about when she started at Grace Smith House. She learned, listened and shaped her life and the life of her family around her knowledge. Connie's husband and children all helped or volunteered at Grace Smith House. Grace Smith House was a major influence on her life and Connie was a moving force in helping Grace Smith House to become the organization it is today. She became the backbone of the organization, never really out front, but everyone knew she was there and that the organization could not function without her.

~ Elisabeth Pak ~

Elisabeth Pak began work as a night counselor in the original shelter. Elisabeth first identified the need for safe, clean, affordable housing for those moving on from the shelter. This awareness led to the development of Brookhaven, post-shelter housing and offices for the Follow-up Program, which opened in 1988. She directed follow-up services for Brookhaven residents and other women and families in the community, leading support groups, providing advocacy and individual counseling. She also helped facilitate communication among agencies in the community in order to solve the many problems facing these families.