The 2015 Outstanding Women of New Hampshire
Each year the Campus Commission for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness honors four women—a Keene State student, a faculty or staff member, someone from the Monadnock region, and someone from the state—during Women’s History Month (March). This year, the Outstanding Women of New Hampshire Award will be bestowed upon Kerrianne Thomas ’16 (KSC student), PeggyRae Johnson (KSC’s Resident Artist), Sarah McKenzie Hoskins (Monadnock region), and Terie Norelli (state).
Kerrianne Thomas is a junior majoring in Communication, general manager for WKNH 93.1FM, and member of Keene State’s tech crew. Three of her fellow radio DJs nominated her due to her outstanding leadership, support of diverse voices on campus, and peer mentorship. In her leadership role at the station, Kerri strives to give women equal representation in the media, and she reaches out to recruit more women for the radio and tech crew. Her peers describe her as a creative, innovative, and inspiring leader who is passionate about her work; a mentor they can turn to for guidance, support, or encouragement; and “a strong, compassionate, incredibly kind woman who always makes an effort to hear the voices of those that are quieter than others.”
PeggyRae Johnson is described as a legend in educational theater, and her contributions to KSC for the last 27 years have reached far and deep. As a director, PeggyRae challenges young women by placing them in vital, difficult roles, pushes her actors to dig for the truths and meaning in their characters, and dares her audiences to ask hard and often uncomfortable questions. Seven years ago, PeggyRae co-launched the “No Zebras, No Excuses” program on campus, which has now become a cornerstone of the orientation program and the sexual violence prevention program on campus. The program builds a culture where students feel an ownership of No Zebras; the performance is profound and leaves no wiggle room as to the expectations of freshmen and all campus citizens. The message is lasting. PeggyRae is a passionate crusader for the arts, theater, and her students and someone who fosters stages for diverse voices, visions, and opinions.
Sarah McKenzie Hoskins has been an advocate and source of empowerment for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Monadnock Region ever since she became an AmeriCorps Victim Advocate at the Cheshire County Attorney’s Office where she is now the full-time victim witness coordinator. In this role, Sarah successfully built bridges between her office, the Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention, and our local police force, strengthening our region’s support for victims of abuse and treating them with the utmost dignity and respect, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation.
Terie Norelli served nine terms in the NH House of Representatives, including three as speaker and one as minority leader. During her time in the legislature, Terie passed civil unions and, later, marriage equality. One of her achievements was the establishment of the health care insurance exchanges that provided coverage to previously uninsured New Hampshire residents and expanded Medicaid services for thousands more. She served as president of the National Council of State Legislatures and served on a number of boards, including the Board of Directors of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, NARAL Pro-Choice NH, Feminist Health Center. She is a long-time advocate of women’s health issues and has recently been appointed as president and CEO of the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation.
Please join us in honoring these Outstanding Women on Wednesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. in Centennial Hall in the Alumni Center.
