January 1998
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Network Names Woman of Year, Rising Stars Acting Gov. Paul Cellucci and about 130 others gathered in the University Club on Dec. 11 for the annual Woman of the Year and Rising Stars Award Dinner.
Sponsored by The Network of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at McCormack Institute, the event recognizes women leaders in public service. Cellucci spoke briefly about each award recipient.
Jane Garvey, head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), was honored with the 1997 Woman of the Year Award for her extraordinary achievement in the field of transportation.
Since 1981, the Network's board of directors has selected a woman of the year for her dedication to public service and the advancement of Massachusetts women in politics and government.
The 14th FAA administrator, Garvey is the first woman to lead the 48,000-person agency. A native of Amherst, her leadership background includes positions as director of Boston's Logan Airport and commissioner of Public Works in Massachusetts. Attorney Cheryl Cronin accepted the award on behalf of Garvey, who was unable to attend the dinner.
Virginia Buckingham and Toni Troop were named Rising Stars, a distinction given since 1995 to two young women considered to be rising stars in Massachusetts politics and government.
Buckingham, 32, of Marblehead was selected for being a role model for other young women interested in politics and government in Massachusetts. Chief of staff for Acting Gov. Paul Cellucci, she also served as chief of staff to former Gov. William Weld. In addition, Buckingham was campaign manager for Weld's 1996 campaign for the U.S. Senate, Weld's press secretary and a press aide to the Weld-Cellucci campaign.
President of the Greater Boston Chapter of the National Organization of Women, Brookline resident Toni Troop, 34, was named a 1997 Rising Star for her dedication to grassroots political activism to improve the political opportunities and empowerment of women. Troop is also director of development for Rosie's Place, a women's shelter in Roxbury.
The Network brings women together to facilitate networking and advance the leadership of women in politics and government.