Margaret Blood, founder of Strategies for Children and Mil Milagros; US Attorney Carmen Ortiz; Boys & Girls Clubs president and CEO Bob Scannell; dinner chair Joanne Jaxtimer; First Lady Diane Patrick.
Photo: Bill Brett
“Have a clear dream and goal to pursue – and stick to it!” Margaret Blood offered this advice to future leaders at the 20th annual New England Women’s Leadership Awards (NEWLA), held on May 9, 2013, at the World Trade Center.
Margaret, the founder and past president of Strategies for Children, and the founder and president of Mil Milagros, was one of three winners of this year’s NEWLA awards – joining first lady Diane Patrick and US Attorney Carmen Ortiz. Margaret was honored for her work on behalf of children and families in Massachusetts and Guatemala. Click here to hear Margaret share her captivating story and the lessons she has learned during her distinguished career.
“Since 1992, NEWLA has honored 104 women throughout New England for their accomplishments in athletics, business, education, health and human services, politics and more. The event was designed to provide powerful role models for the members of Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester” according to the club’s website.
More than 550 guests attended this year’s 20th anniversary event, which raised $250,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs. Lisa Hughes of WBZ-TV was the emcee, and Joanne Jaxtimer, BNY Mellon’s Regional Executive of New England, was the event chair.
The award winners are women who “have not only risen to positions of respect and influence, but have also found ways to give back to their communities… They are women who exemplify the courage, dedication and vision it takes to be true leaders.”
The event featured musical performances by several members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester, an inspirational keynote speech by Kayleigh Kozlowski, and awardee introductions by Maeve McCarthy, Fatima St. Hilaire and Kristen Fields.
The Boys and Girls Clubs posted these pictures on Facebook. The Boston Globe features photographs of the event here.
Eye on Early Education is a blog of Strategies for Children, an organization that works to ensure that Massachusetts invests the resources needed for all children, from birth to age five, to access high-quality early education programs that prepare them for success in school and life. The blogger, 
eyeonearlyeducation.org 