|
American Red Cross President Honored As A Lifetime Leader Dedicated to Public Service
WASHINGTON, October 24, 2002 - The White House Fellows Foundation today announced that Marsha Johnson Evans will become the fourth recipient of the John W. Gardner Legacy of Leadership Award. The Foundation is recognizing Evans' remarkable achievements throughout her career, which represents a lifetime of public service, character, commitment, renewal and vision. Evans, also known as "Marty," was a White House Fellow from 1979 to 1980, and is currently President of the American Red Cross - the nation's premier humanitarian service organization.
"Marty's extraordinary achievements, unique style of leadership, and passionate dedication to public service embody the spirit of the Legacy of Leadership Award, as well as the White House Fellows Program," said Janet Abrams, Chair of the White House Fellows Foundation. "Her impressive career - as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, Executive Director of the Girl Scouts, and now President of the Red Cross - has set an exceptional standard of leadership and service to the nation. We congratulate and thank Marty," Abrams said.
Established in 1999, the Legacy of Leadership Award is named for John W. Gardner. Gardner - former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, founder of Common Cause, and an instrumental player in the establishment of the Fellows Program - is considered an example of the spirit of leadership and service required of Fellows. The award recognizes White House Fellows Alumni for a lifetime of accomplishment and commitment to service in their public and personal lives. White House Fellow Alumni and Former Supreme Allied Commander General Wesley K. Clark received the first Legacy of Leadership Award.
Evans grew up in Springfield, Illinois, the daughter of a Navy chief petty officer. In 1968, she graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. As a Naval officer, Evans held a variety of command positions overseeing multi-million dollar budgets and hundreds of thousands of employees. While in the Navy, she served as a White House Fellow from 1979 - 1980, where she worked at the U.S. Department of Treasury. She retired as a Rear Admiral after 29 years of service.
Assuming the role of National Executive Director of Girls Scouts of the USA in 1998 was a natural continuation of her efforts to expand the professional roles of women. She transformed the Girl Scouts from its traditional focus to an organization that testifies before the U.S. Congress to end violence against adolescent girls, awards global service badges, teaches girls how to use technology, and supports mentoring programs to prepare young women for professional endeavors. She herself was a Girl Scout, and received the rank of Curved Bar - the highest achievement in scouting at that time.
Evans now serves as President and CEO of the American Red Cross, an organization devoted to helping Americans in time of disaster and public need. With great insight into the organization's mission, she is guiding the Red Cross as it continues to provide vital services in a world faced by new challenges.
|