Annie Award winners announced
May 14, 2019
The Greater Hammond Chamber is pleased to recognize four outstanding women as this year’s Annie Awards recipients. A Friday, June 14 luncheon, sponsored by Tangi Lifestyles and North Oaks Health System, will be held in the Southeastern Louisiana University Student Union Grand Ballroom to honor them.
Established in 1998 in honor of the late Southeastern Louisiana University Administrator Anne Ferguson, the Annie Awards honor women who work in excellence and have a true servant's heart for the community.
Joining the prestigious ranks of more than 45 past winners are Donna Gay Anderson, Mary Beth Crovetto, Antoinette Harrell and Sandy A. Summers.
"The nominations for the Annie Award this year were extremely impressive," said Dr. Kay Maurin, Annie Awards Committee Chairman and Chamber Board Member. "The recipients selected are all very accomplished women who serve their community in unique ways, make significant contributions to their career fields, and are impressive role models all while balancing the demands of family. They are all true inspirations and I'm so looking forward to celebrating them on June 14th."
Tangi Lifestyles joins the Chamber again as a sponsor, featuring these women in their June issue. Special thanks to Phillip Colwart Photography for working with the winners on their photo shoot.
Donna Gay Anderson
Donna Gay Anderson has had many accomplishments and touched many lives throughout her illustrious career as a playwright, theater teacher and director of the Columbia Theatre and Southeastern Louisiana University’s Fanfare. She holds degrees from Southeastern Louisiana University, The National Shakespeare Conservatory and Spalding University. Providing mentorship to young women has been a calling in her life, and she is the founder of The Neighborhood Book Club, a literary salon for girls in the community.
Mary Beth Crovetto
Mary Beth Crovetto is a 31-year veteran educator who has been involved in professional development opportunities, including the Southeastern Louisiana University National Writing Project, Advanc-Ed, and writing across the curriculum initiatives on multiple levels throughout her career. She currently serves as principal of Ponchatoula Junior High School and is a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula. She is also a published curriculum author and dedicated member of the Ponchatoula Rotary Club.
Antoinette Harrell
Antoinette Harrell has a passion for local African American history and genealogy, maintaining substantial archive collections at Southeastern Louisiana University and the Amistad Research Center at Tulane University. A published author of three books, she is also the producer and host of a Television and YouTube Talk Show called “Nurturing Our Roots.”
Sandy A. Summers
Currently serving as Southeastern Louisiana University’s Technology and Recruiting Manager, Sandy A. Summers has years of experience in connecting business to resources in Tangipahoa Parish and beyond. She is heavily involved in Tangipahoa Professional Women, having chaired their annual women’s conference for 10 years. She is also on the leadership team for Girl Scout Troop 31018, working with 6th to 8th grade Cadettes and assisting with program planning and public relations. A proud member of First True Love World Outreach Ministries in Ponchatoula, she actively serves in the music, media and career building ministries.
Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee, an obstetrician/gynecologist and trained policy expert, will be the guest speaker at the popular luncheon which attracts 175+ local business leaders to celebrate with the Annie honorees.
"The North Oaks Health System team extends heartfelt congratulations to the 2019 Annie Award honorees! All of these women have followed in Anne Ferguson's footsteps as trailblazers in their own right, and we thank them for their servant's hearts and inspiring example," said Michele Kidd Sutton, President/CEO of North Oaks Health System and past Annie Award winner. "It is with tremendous pride that we join with the Greater Hammond Chamber to sponsor this year's luncheon. We look forward to celebrating the tremendous, vibrant and talented women of our community and recognizing this year's guest speaker, Dr. Rebekah Gee, for her efforts to improve lives and communities in her work as a physician and secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health."
The registration to the Annies also allows entrance into the private After Annies event at Jacmel Inn immediately following the award luncheon. Attendees are responsible for their own adult beverages.
Tickets are $30 and reserved tables of eight are available for $390. Visit www.greaterhammondchamber.org or call 985-345-4457 to register.
Established in 1998 in honor of the late Southeastern Louisiana University Administrator Anne Ferguson, the Annie Awards honor women who work in excellence and have a true servant's heart for the community.
Joining the prestigious ranks of more than 45 past winners are Donna Gay Anderson, Mary Beth Crovetto, Antoinette Harrell and Sandy A. Summers.
"The nominations for the Annie Award this year were extremely impressive," said Dr. Kay Maurin, Annie Awards Committee Chairman and Chamber Board Member. "The recipients selected are all very accomplished women who serve their community in unique ways, make significant contributions to their career fields, and are impressive role models all while balancing the demands of family. They are all true inspirations and I'm so looking forward to celebrating them on June 14th."
Tangi Lifestyles joins the Chamber again as a sponsor, featuring these women in their June issue. Special thanks to Phillip Colwart Photography for working with the winners on their photo shoot.
Donna Gay Anderson
Donna Gay Anderson has had many accomplishments and touched many lives throughout her illustrious career as a playwright, theater teacher and director of the Columbia Theatre and Southeastern Louisiana University’s Fanfare. She holds degrees from Southeastern Louisiana University, The National Shakespeare Conservatory and Spalding University. Providing mentorship to young women has been a calling in her life, and she is the founder of The Neighborhood Book Club, a literary salon for girls in the community.
Mary Beth Crovetto
Mary Beth Crovetto is a 31-year veteran educator who has been involved in professional development opportunities, including the Southeastern Louisiana University National Writing Project, Advanc-Ed, and writing across the curriculum initiatives on multiple levels throughout her career. She currently serves as principal of Ponchatoula Junior High School and is a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula. She is also a published curriculum author and dedicated member of the Ponchatoula Rotary Club.
Antoinette Harrell
Antoinette Harrell has a passion for local African American history and genealogy, maintaining substantial archive collections at Southeastern Louisiana University and the Amistad Research Center at Tulane University. A published author of three books, she is also the producer and host of a Television and YouTube Talk Show called “Nurturing Our Roots.”
Sandy A. Summers
Currently serving as Southeastern Louisiana University’s Technology and Recruiting Manager, Sandy A. Summers has years of experience in connecting business to resources in Tangipahoa Parish and beyond. She is heavily involved in Tangipahoa Professional Women, having chaired their annual women’s conference for 10 years. She is also on the leadership team for Girl Scout Troop 31018, working with 6th to 8th grade Cadettes and assisting with program planning and public relations. A proud member of First True Love World Outreach Ministries in Ponchatoula, she actively serves in the music, media and career building ministries.
Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee, an obstetrician/gynecologist and trained policy expert, will be the guest speaker at the popular luncheon which attracts 175+ local business leaders to celebrate with the Annie honorees.
"The North Oaks Health System team extends heartfelt congratulations to the 2019 Annie Award honorees! All of these women have followed in Anne Ferguson's footsteps as trailblazers in their own right, and we thank them for their servant's hearts and inspiring example," said Michele Kidd Sutton, President/CEO of North Oaks Health System and past Annie Award winner. "It is with tremendous pride that we join with the Greater Hammond Chamber to sponsor this year's luncheon. We look forward to celebrating the tremendous, vibrant and talented women of our community and recognizing this year's guest speaker, Dr. Rebekah Gee, for her efforts to improve lives and communities in her work as a physician and secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health."
The registration to the Annies also allows entrance into the private After Annies event at Jacmel Inn immediately following the award luncheon. Attendees are responsible for their own adult beverages.
Tickets are $30 and reserved tables of eight are available for $390. Visit www.greaterhammondchamber.org or call 985-345-4457 to register.
