The Professional Women’s Roundtable next month will give its annual PoWeR Award to Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of the Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs. It’s the first time an LGBT person will receive the honor that recognizes a trailblazing woman.
“The choice to give Nellie the PoWeR Award was clear given her contributions to the LGBT community,” said Christine Soares, president of the women’s roundtable.
The award ceremony takes place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Hard Rock Cafe, 1113 Market St. It will form part of the 14th-anniversary celebration for the Professional Women’s Roundtable. It costs $35-$55 to attend, depending on membership status with the group.
The organization’s board of directors chose Fitzpatrick. Soares said Fitzpatrick’s whole career stood out, from the time she served as LGBT liaison with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office to her work in the mayor’s office.
“When she worked at the D.A.’s Office, she really worked two jobs,” Soares said, “one prosecuting cases and another really stepping up to the plate for the LGBT community. That was pretty impactful.”
For more information on the Professional Women’s Roundtable or to register for the PoWeR Award ceremony, visit www.pwroundtable.com.