Diamond Jubilee Award Recipients 2004

Connecticut Nursing News, Jul/Aug 2004

As an active member of CNA's Government Relations Committee (GRC) for many years, Marilyn's knowledge of and experience in the political process have helped the members of the committee and the association develop better strategy and clearer direction for our government relations activities. Her ability to access the legislative environment and assist with establishing the overall agenda have made her a key member of GRC. She also continues to serve as the treasurer of the Connecticut Nurses' Political Action Committee (CN-PAC) and works to raise funds in order for CN-PAC to contribute to campaigns of nurse-friendly legislators.

Marilyn has testified on nursing issues before the state legislature's committees and worked with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and other groups on a number of important matters relating to professional nursing. She is able to expertly articulate nursing's role and concerns and is willing to tackle the difficult jobs that need doing to advance the profession. She's helped to craft nurse associated legislative bills, served as liaison'to legislators in her district on CNA's behalf, and worked in numerous grass roots political campaigns in support of nurse-friendly political candidates.

When Marilyn talks about nurses and nursing, or speaks out on volatile nursing issues, she does it with passion. She is fearless and direct in defending her profession and as one of her nominators wrote, "she gives nurses a voice." She is "committed, caring and giving and has supported nursing issues politically by both her financial contributions and grass roots support."

Marilyn's community and political activity also includes membership on the Board of Directors of the Ledgelight Health District in Groton, political activity in obtaining rights for nurses and women and a run for elective office. She is a member of the Connecticut Society of Nurse Psychotherapists and the Connecticut Mental Health Association.

Marilyn received her ASN from University of Bridgeport, her BSN from the University of Southern Maine, her MSN as a clinical specialist in adult, community and mental health nursing and her doctorate from the University of Massachusetts School of Education in School and Consulting Psychology; Mental Health Administration.

The Florence S. WaId Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Practice

Linda Spoonster Schwartz, RN, Dr.PH, FAAN

In May 2003 Linda Spoonster Schwartz, nurse, veteran, advocate, educator and leader of many organizations and projects, was named commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans'Affairs (DVA). In the Department's 139 years of Connecticut service to veterans. Schwartz is the first woman and the first nurse to administer the services and programs. The department serves over 300,000 Connecticut veterans including 500 veterans in programs at the Veterans' Home and Hospital complex in Rocky Hill, CT.

Her clinical work includes experiences as a USAF staff nurse, flight nurse instructor and psychiatric public health nurse. She has served on the faculties of Central Connecticut State University, Mohegan Community College (Three Rivers) and the University of Connecticut. She is a research scientist and scholar at the Yale School of Nursing and funded by the Department of Defense (DOD) TriService Nursing Research Program to conduct the "Vietnam Nurses Health Study."