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Womanspace to Honor
Major League Baseball’s Hall of Famer, Joe Torre
The mission of Womanspace is to Prevent Abuse, Protect Families and Change Lives through empowerment and a safety net of supportive services. 11,169 adults and children were served by Womanspace in 2013.
Womanspace is privileged to announce the 20th annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award (BBS Award) honoree is Major League Baseball’s Hall of Famer, Joe Torre, for his efforts to end the cycle of domestic violence and save lives.
Each year, Womanspace honors a person of distinction who exemplifies the qualities of the event’s namesake, Barbara Boggs Sigmund. On April 30, 2014, Torre will be honored at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Princeton for his philanthropic work on behalf of domestic violence victims. Torre is the Chairman of the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, which he and his wife, Ali, launched in 2002. The Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation’s mission is to develop educational programs that will end the cycle of domestic violence and save lives. In 2010, Torre was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women.
Womanspace is grateful to Janssen Pharmaceutical Research & Development LLC for their generosity and leadership as the 2014 BBS Award presenting sponsor. A number of additional sponsorship, advertising, in-kind services and silent auction support opportunities are now available. All event proceeds will support Womanspace in their mission to provide services for individuals and families impacted by domestic and sexual abuse
Barbara Boggs Sigmund, Mayor of Princeton Borough and the first woman Freeholder in Mercer County, was the driving force in founding Womanspace in 1977. She came from a distinguished political family – the daughter of the late Congressman Hale Boggs, and Congresswoman and Ambassador Lindy Boggs, and the sister of journalist Cokie Roberts, who was our first BBS Award honoree and a consistent supporter of our mission and wise adviser to our agency. Roberts will serve as Honorary Chair for this year’s event.
Barbara’s leadership and her crusade against domestic violence have made a life-saving difference to the thousands of survivors served by Womanspace over the years. She was an inspiration with her “can do” attitude. The Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award proudly represents that spirit, and honoring Joe Torre is a true representation of that spirit. Since its inception, the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation has educated thousands of students, parents, teachers and school faculty about the devastating effects of domestic violence. Currently reaching children in nine schools and two community centers in New York and New Jersey, Margaret’s Place, a tribute to Joe’s mother, Margaret, provides middle and high school students with a “safe room,” in which they can talk to each other and to a professional counselor trained in domestic violence intervention and prevention about violence-related issues.
Torre played in the Major Leagues for 18 seasons as a first/third baseman and catcher with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets. Torre compiled a lifetime .297 batting average, had 2,342 hits, 252 home runs and 1,185 RBI, and hit over .300 five times. He was a nine-time All-Star and the National League’s 1971 Most Valuable Player, batting .363 with 230 hits, 24 home runs and a league-leading 137 RBI.
Torre made his managerial debut with the Mets on May 31, 1977, becoming the first player-manager in the Majors since 1959. He managed the Mets until 1981 and the Braves from 1982-84. After spending nearly six seasons as a television broadcaster for the California Angels, Torre managed the Cardinals from 1990-95. He also led Team USA in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
From 1996-2007, Torre served as the manager of the New York Yankees. He guided them to the Postseason every year, including four World Championships (1996, 1998-2000) and six American League pennants. In the fall of 2010, Torre concluded his third and final season as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, whom he led to the National League Championship Series in 2008 and 2009. Torre currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations under Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig.
Torre has garnered many accolades over the years, being named Manager of the Year by the Associated Press In 1982 and 1998. In 1996 and 1998, the Baseball Writers Association of America named him American League Manager of the Year and, in 1996, The Sporting News named him Sportsman of the Year. He won ESPN’s ESPY Award for Best Manager/Coach of the Year in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001.
In April 2011, Torre was honored at the Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards, which celebrate exemplary Ellis Island/Port of New York immigrants or their descendants who have made a major contribution to the American experience. In December 2013, the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced that its Expansion Era Committee had unanimously elected Torre to be a part of its Class of 2014 inductees. Torre will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 27th in Cooperstown, New York.
We hope you will join us for an unforgettable evening with Joe Torre. Information on how to purchase a ticket will soon be posted on the agency website, www.womanspace.org. Your support of this event ensures that much needed services are provided to women, children and men who suffer from interpersonal violence.
For more information on the Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award including sponsorships, advertising, in-kind donations or general questions please contact Susan D. Klejst at (609) 394-0136 or sdk@womanspace.org.
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