• Dana Dowd Williams is a 2009 recipient.
She was nominated by Sister June Favata, who wrote the following essay describing her service background. In 1981, after 112 years, Newark’s only Catholic/Christian college preparatory school for women faced an uncertain future. Faithful alumnae continued to make modest donations, but unlike their male counterparts, failed to understand the extent to which their support was needed. It was imperative to attract corporate assistance. Dana Dowd Williams, then an officer of Fidelity Union Bank, became the first and most enduring link connecting Saint Vincent Academy to the marketplace. With characteristic grace, sensitivity and enthusiasm, Dana responded immediately to our first effort to tell SVA’s story and engage her in its life. She understood and wanted to help. In only a matter of months, Dana introduced SVA to Newark’s six major corporate leaders and helped us to form an Advisory Board and develop a strategic plan that included our first capital campaign. Dana’s warm and accepting personality, intelligence, bold imagination, determination, skill as a facilitator and wholehearted commitment textured the planning and implementation of the campaign and all other fundraising endeavors since. We are deeply grateful to this extraordinary woman for all she has done to secure and advance our work. Dana is more than a friend, more than a supporter. Dana is SVA’s miracle worker. The Jefferson Awards were founded in 1972 by Sam Beard, Jacqueline Kennedy and Senator Robert Taft to honor people who do outstanding community service. The awards are presented on both the and local levels. The recipients of the New Jersey State Jefferson Awards are ordinary people who, through public service and volunteerism efforts, do extraordinary things without expectation of recognition or reward. For several months prior to the event, The Star-Ledger accepted nominations from readers which were reviewed by a panel of judges. Winners from across the Garden State were chosen for their exceptional community service and acts of charity. You can nominate outstanding volunteers for the 2010 Jefferson Awards .