MIDDLEBURY — WomenSafe in Middlebury announces that Betsy Ouellette of Waltham has been selected as the recipient of the 2013 Kimberly Krans Women Who Change the World Award (Kimberly Krans Award). WomenSafe presents the award annually to a woman in Addison County or Rochester whose outstanding work and achievements have had positive impacts on and furthered the safety of women and/or children in the community. A public reception in Ouellette’s honor will be held Thursday, March 28, from 5-6:30 p.m. at 109 Catamount Park in Middlebury. Refreshments will be served.
Ouellette has been involved in the field of early education on and off for 26 years. She is currently the director for Vermont Adult Learning Childcare Center (VAL) in Addison County and has been for the last 13 years. Through her guidance and hard work, VAL’s Childcare Center was awarded 5 STARS (Step Ahead Recognition System) through Vermont Childcare Licensing. Ouellette also helped VAL Childcare Center earn National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation. As her nomination says, “Betsy is exactly the kind of role model all women and children need … [her] leadership has enriched the lives of hundreds of young children and their families. …”
In addition to her commitment to the early education community, Ouellette has been involved in numerous community service organizations, including job credit for students, playground communities, Children’s Miracle Network, mentoring for families, Boys and Girls Club, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and community food banks.
In her own words, Ouellette says, “I believe strongly that we are here to make a difference. We all need each other and with support, kindness and hope everything that we do to help others is going to make the next person do the same. It is like a river — if you provide support and hope, it will continue to flow into the future generations.”
Catamount Park is located off Exchange St. across from the former State Office Building complex. The award ceremony is held in March as part of National Women’s History Month. For more information, contact WomenSafe at 388-9180.