WOMEN’S CENTER OF SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT APPOINTS EMMA PALZERE-RAE AS DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

The Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut is pleased to announce the appointment of Emma Palzere-Rae as its new Director of Development.

The Women’s Center, located in New London, provides services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, including counseling services in New London and Norwich; crisis intervention, support groups and health services; violence prevention educational programs in area schools; a transitional living program, which helps women and families left homeless due to domestic violence/sexual assault develop self-esteem and life skills to live a healthy, independent life; and an emergency shelter, a safe haven for women and their families who have experienced an unsafe condition due to violence/assault. For more information on giving opportunities and programs of the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut, contact Ms. Palzere-Rae at (860) 447-0366 x203 or epalzere-rae@womenscenterofsect.org.

Ms. Palzere-Rae comes to the Women’s Center from the Chorus of Westerly (RI) where she has served as Executive Director since 2003. Prior to coming to the area, Ms. Palzere-Rae was actively involved in domestic violence and date rape awareness programs as well as violence prevention programs in her role as Artistic Director of Plays for Living in New York City. She is pleased to be returning to working on these important programs and issues, working toward a violence-free society. Her passion for the issues combined with her experience in public relations and fundraising will serve the Women’s Center well. Upcoming projects include the annual Bowl-a-thon, to be held at Holiday Bowl in Groton, on Saturday, March 21 and the 1000 Men Against Domestic Violence campaign, which will feature a list of 1000 men from the community who are joining together in the battle against all forms of violence against women. The list will appear in The Day and Norwich Bulletin on May 10, 2009, Mother’s Day.

“We have been fortunate to have such great support from the community,” said Cathy Zeiner, Executive Director. “We are very excited to have someone with Emma’s experience, passion, and creativity energize our development efforts.” Ms. Palzere-Rae succeeds Marj Taggart-Dedrick who resigned in November. Ms. Taggart-Dedrick now serves as Finance Director with the East Hartford-based Connecticut Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America. She is a longtime Scout volunteer and former vice chairman of the Mohegan District of the Connecticut Rivers Council.

The Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut encourages community members interested in opportunities to support the Center to contact Emma Palzere-Rae, its new Director of Development. Ms. Palzere-Rae can be reached at (860) 447-0366 x203 or epalzere-rae@womenscenterofsect.org.