March 21, 2011
Womanspace, Inc.
Trenton, New Jersey
Contact: Susan D. Klejst, director of development
(609) 394-0136; sdk@womanspace.org
For Immediate Release
Womanspace to Honor Renowned Artist and Writer Faith Ringgold:
17th Annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award Event
Womanspace, Inc. will host its 17th annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award reception and fundraiser on Thursday, May 12th, 2011 at a new location – the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, Princeton, NJ, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Acclaimed artist and author Faith Ringgold will receive the prestigious award.
Barbara Boggs Sigmund, a former Mayor of Princeton Borough and a Mercer County Freeholder, proactively spoke out about domestic violence in Mercer County, N.J. She and four other women, who became the co-founders of Womanspace, a shelter for battered women, developed a plan to provide services for women in crisis. Each year Womanspace honors Barbara Boggs Sigmund’s spirit and passion by presenting the award to a woman who has made a significant contribution to society to improve people’s lives. Each honoree is someone who inspires others to greatness.
Faith Ringgold is best known for her painted story quilts, art that combines painting, quilted fabric and storytelling. She has exhibited in major museums in the USA, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. She is in the permanent collection of many museums including the Studio Museum of Harlem, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art. Ringgold has written and illustrated eleven children’s books. Her first book, Tar Beach, was a Caldecott Honor Book and winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration. In Mercer County, N.J., her renowned work is featured with a mosaic mural from her award-winning book Tar Beach, on the third floor of the Princeton Public Library.
“Faith Ringgold’s commitment to excellence and her love for children demonstrated in her art and books makes her the ideal candidate to receive the Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award,” said Patricia Hart, Womanspace executive director. “She is definitely a woman who inspires others to greatness.”
Womanspace provides programs for families struggling with domestic violence and sexual assault. Over 10,000 adults and children were served last year. Programs include crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy, housing services, and a 24-hour hotline: (609) 394-9000.
The annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award reception and fundraiser helps to provide the much needed funds to support these programs. Individual tickets to the event are $150. There are a number of opportunities to purchase journal advertisements, corporate tables and other sponsorships. In addition, there is a chance to win a luxurious grand prize all-inclusive winner’s choice trip for two to Cancun or Punta Cana; raffle tickets cost $50 each and the winner need not be present. For more information about how to support the event, please contact: Susan D. Klejst, director of development at (609) 394-0136 or sdk@womanspace.org. Event registration is also available online by visiting: www.womanspace.org.
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Womanspace launches its 17th annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund (BBS) Award fundraiser during a gathering at the Princeton Public Library. Renowned artist and writer Faith Ringgold is the 2011 Honoree. Ringgold’s mosaic mural in the background of the photo is from her Caldecott award?winning book Tar Beach and is featured on the third floor of the library.
Pictured standing left to right: Princeton Library executive director Leslie Burger, Womanspace executive director Patricia Hart, Princeton Borough Mayor Mildred Trotman, Princeton Township Council Member Sue Nemeth, Womanspace Board President Cynthia Ricker, Womanspace Board and BBS committee member Joan Bartl, and Womanspace Board & BBS event chairs –Ingrid Reed and Jigna Rao.
