Judy Smith
Employment: Executive Director Children’s Advocacy Center
Nominator: Carol Wilson, Richard Gebhardt

Judy embodies a loving, giving spirit, even when adapting to new situations and challenges, both in her personal and professional life. She became a foster and then adoptive single mother 30 years ago, offering a stable, healthy home to a young girl who, in turn, became her daughter.

Soon after Hamot Medical Center closed its Behavioral Health Unit in 2001, Judy turned her attention to the issue of child abuse. In 2002, she became the executive director of the newly created Children’s Advocacy Center. Under her leadership and vision, the Center has become an invaluable community resource for those in need. She works tirelessly to continually improve the Center, and has guided the relocation process as services expanded and they required more room.

Judy has mastered the art of continual fund-raising and she is an effective and successful grant writer, obtaining grants from every level of government, as well as the private sector. While some nonprofit agencies bemoan a shrinking funding pie, Judy quietly devises a way to not only keep the center operating, but thriving.

Judy is not content to confine her work to the Center and provides workshops and specialized training for facilities like Perseus House. Because of her reputation and expertise, she is a much sought-after lecturer throughout Erie County and elsewhere.

Judy has accomplished so much with so little using her creativity, vision and hard work to make life better for thousands of abuse victims in Erie County.

The Honorable Susan Paradise Baxter

Employment: Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge, Federal Court House, Erie
Nominator: Almitra Clerkin, Erie Playhouse, Erie

A woman who shares her time, talent and resources, Judge Baxter continually gives to her community and especially the young people who will be the future leaders and residents of our community. She knows the importance of each child realizing their full potential and value. She inspires confidence and commitment, giving each child the strength to meet their future head on.

Judge Baxter has helped many beyond the parameters of her profession. She believes education and the arts are two vital necessities for every person. Her commitment to making them available is evident through her tireless volunteer efforts.

Judge Baxter's leadership roles include the Erie Playhouse Youtheatre (board president 2004-06; board member 2003-07; committee member 2003-04), of which she is board president; the Erie County Bar Association, which has benefitted from her exemplary service above and beyond her membership; the Sisters of St. Joseph and Sisters of Mercy, which welcome her leadership in the education of our youth; the Episcopal Church, which is proud to have her as a member; the Federal Magistrate Judge’s Association, in which she is a former director at large, looks to her for her worthwhile leadership. She was named to the very first PA Governor’s Commission for Women in 1998 by then-Governor Tom Ridge.

2007 Woman of the Year
Prior Recipients of the Woman of the Year Award
Nominees for 2008 Woman of the Year
     Misty O'Connor
     Sonya M. Pyle
     Denise Illig Robison
     Debra Thompson
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