Princeton, NJ — In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Department of Community Affairs announced the recipients of the 2008 Connie Woodruff and Wynona M. Lipman Awards on March 25 at a celebration held at Drumthwacket. The annual ceremony, sponsored by DCA’s Division on Women and the New Jersey Advisory Commission on the Status of Women, honors outstanding individuals and community-based organizations that advocate for and support women.
Janice Kovach, Director of the Division of Women, and Joseph Doria, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, presided over the awards ceremony.
“Women’s History Month acknowledges the accomplishments of incredible women throughout history that have enriched all of our lives,” DCA Commissioner Joseph Doria said. “The Wynona Lipman Award honors today’s history makers – women that work to make life better for all New Jerseyans.”
On behalf of ICREW/NJ, President Jennifer Palestri, Normandy Real Estate Partners, accepted the 2008 Wynona M. Lipman Visionary Award. The award is named for the late Senator Wynona M. Lipman, the first African American woman elected to the New Jersey State Senate, and champion of women’s rights, minorities and children. Joining Ms. Palestri were board members, Annette Murray, Wilkin & Guttenplan P.C. and Silvana Finizio, Carousel Industries. Past ICREW/NJ Presidents, Ann Waeger, Farer Fersko, and Heather Suarez, Esq., Walder Hayden & Brogan P.A. also attended the celebration.
“On behalf of all ICREW/NJ members, we are pleased to have been chosen for this prestigious award,” noted Palestri. “ICREW/NJ is comprised of women involved in all aspects of commercial and industrial real estate. Our focus is to enrich the professional and personal lives of our members who come from all corners of the real estate industry – an industry that comprises almost 12 percent of the US GDP. Our members work collaboratively to build careers, make a difference in the industry and give back to our communities.”
Founded in 1982, ICREW/NJ is a not-for-profit organization that promotes communication and interaction between experienced commercial real estate professionals in New Jersey.
ICREW/NJ is the New Jersey organization for women involved in all aspects of commercial and industrial real estate. Members represent fields as diversified as accountants, architects, appraisers, asset/property managers, attorneys consultants, developers, lenders, leasing and sales brokers, mortgage bankers/brokers, marketing specialists, market and investment analysts, corporate real estate representatives and title/escrow officers.
ICREW/NJ is managed by Association Associates, Inc. (AAI) Established in 1992 and located in Trenton, New Jersey, AAI is a leading association management company providing management services to voluntary organizations, including trade show, conference and special events planning; administrative services, membership services, financial management, media relations, lobbying, and communication services for trade and professional groups. AAI is a member of the International Association of Association Management Companies and is a charter accredited association Management Company by the American Society of Association Executives. Continually growing, AAI now serves 14 association clients.