Women of Initiative

Naples–On April 14 Judith Wilson Sullivan received the Women of Initiative Award of the Community Foundation of Collier County. The first annual award recognized women who make a lasting contribution to the well being of their community.

A Catholic Charities volunteer for over 25 years, Sullivan currently serves on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice and on the Advisory Board of Catholic Charities of Collier County. She was the first lay person to serve on the original board in 1984 and the first lay person to be appointed Chair of the Board in October 1994. Sullivan continued as a member of the Board until June 2000. Nominated in February 2006 to serve again, she accepted.

“Catholic Charities is grateful to Judy Sullivan for her leadership and commitment to our Board of Directors here in Venice and to the Advisory Board in Collier County. We deeply appreciate Judy’s continuing dedication to our mission,” said Peter Routsis-Arroyo, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice.

As founder of the Emerald Ball, the primary fundraising event for Catholic Charities of Collier County, Sullivan will chair the Emerald Ball for the 25^th anniversary celebration in 2010. “All of her charitable work is accomplished with humility, selflessness and a positive spirit,” said Robert Saunders, District Director of Catholic Charities of Collier County.

In addition, Sullivan is Vice-Chair of the Diocese of Venice School Board.  She has served on the Saint Ann School Board in Naples and, as a member of the Saint William Council of Catholic Women, organized its first fashion show to raise funds for college scholarships.  That event has been ongoing to this day.

Other local community activities include serving as Past President of Collier County Medical Society Alliance and a member of The Florida Medical Association Alliance. One of Sullivan’s current projects is putting together a cookbook to celebrate the 40^th year of the Collier County Medical Society Alliance in 2010. Sullivan and her husband Joe have been members of the Naples community for 40 years.

Congratulations, Judy, for this outstanding recognition!