Elegant WRC Luncheon Honors Ruth Orthwein

Honoree Ruth Orthwein receives roses, as Sister

There Antone looks on

In the historic "Colonnade Room" of the Viking Hotel, overlooked by original Viking murals, friends and admirers of Ruth Orthwein gathered for a recent luncheon to honor Ms. Orthwein’s ongoing contributions to the Women’s Resource Center and it programs.

After wine and hors d’oeuvres were served, Joyce Lineberry, standing in for husband and Board President Gary, introduced Lori DiPersio, President of WRC, who welcomed the assembled guests and asserted that “domestic violence affects everyone, both in-laws and outlaws.” Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a strong supporter of WRC, could not attend. Ms. diPersio said that the agency’s mission was to make both the city and the world safer places, and lauded Ms. Orthwein for her “behind-the-scenes” support and efforts.

Pamela O'Connor & Ally Coulter were there to applaud

Under the tranquil and historic murals seemd an unusual place to recite sobering statistics: The Women’s Resource Center served 1,371 families in 2009, providing 6,025 individual services, including court advocacy, counseling program, and shelter programs. To break the cycle of domestic abuse, anti-bullying programs have been developed under a Textron Grant and tested at Gaudet Middle School in Middletown, championing and teachingthe development of healthy relationships in children.

Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano spoke passionately about advocacy for victims of domestic violence, saying that it was an issue that needed the light of day to solve, and people to step up. Ms. Orthwein was presented with a fine photo by Alexander Nesbitt, as well as flowers. She said feelingly, “I can’t tell you how much this means,” and thanked Ms. DiPersio, calling her a “wonderful director.”

An elegant setting for the Ladies Who Lunch

There to honor her were past President of WRC Tina McIntyre, former Board member Mark Malkovich IV, Kai Butler, Betty Capozzi, Susie and Jill Clendenen, Ellen Barnes, John Sawicki, Candy MacDonald, Joan Malkovich, Norey Cullen, Barbara Bohan, Sister Therese Antone, Linda Lee Butler, and Mrs. Orthwein’s daughter Pamela O’Connor, . Melanie Delman, Geer Messinger, and Robin Nicholson, the “Ladies of Lila”, are long-term supporters of the agency, and conversed with other guests.

For information about the ongoing work of the Women's Resource Center, go to www.wrcnbc.org