The Indiana Commission for Women recognized 12 honorees with Torchbearer Awards on Wednesday, September 26, 2018. 

The annual honors are for women "who have broken down barriers, overcome obstacles to women’s full participation, and have made Indiana a better place to live, work and raise a family." Winners represent eight communities throughout the state.

Hoosier Legionnaire Judy Brown was selected as one of this year’s recipients.

Judy started work young and is a two-time Army Veteran. Judy served in the 1990’s and again after 9/11 and was designated a female combat veteran. Although her service was cut short by injury, Judy continues to serve in her local community, serving veterans and at the Indiana State House and advocating to Congress on behalf of her brothers and sisters who serve.

ICW Board of Commissioners Chair Melissa Cotterill calls this year's recipients impressive and says "they have all made significant contributions to the state and to their communities; and we are excited to be recognizing them."
 
The 2018 Torchbearer Award winners are:

• Kristina Box, Indiana State Health Commissioner

• Judy Brown, American Legion

• Tammy Butler Robinson, Engaging Solutions

• Melinda Clark, St. Vincent Medical Group

• Sarah Demmon, Eli Lilly and Co.

• Brenda Gerber Vincent, Lifeline, Crosswinds, Lasting Change

• Nila Miller-Cronk, Indiana State Police

• Jennifer Pope Baker, Women's Fund of Central Indiana

• Rupal Thanawala, Trident Systems Inc.

• Kendra Vanzo, Old National Bank

• Tina Walters, Fort Wayne Smallest Winner
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• Donna Zimmerman, Ivy Tech Community College

The Indiana Commission for Women is committed to the full participation of women in all aspects of society in order to live, work and raise a family. ICW works to move Indiana women forward by understanding the needs of Indiana women and their families and by working strategically both within government and in our communities to help bring about positive solutions. We act as the voice of women, communicating their needs and concerns as well as their successes and contributions, so that they can become better connected to their communities and to the tools, resources and opportunities needed to find their own voice. For more information, go to: www.in.gov/icw.

Operation: Race to 100 was A four-day, statewide tour featuring National and Department level leadership and showcasing American Legion Posts within each of the 11 Districts of the Department of Indiana.
 
The purpose of the drive-around was three fold.

• To raise community awareness of The American Legion Mission.
• To provide an opportunity for National and State level leadership to visit with local Post and District level leaders and volunteers.
• To celebrate 100 years of American Legion history.

 
To associate ourselves together at the National, Department, District and Post level by making our Legion, Auxiliary, SAL & Riders top Indiana leadership available to interface with our volunteers and local Legion leaders in communities across Indiana; to transmit to posterity our Legion’s Veterans Service Advocacy mission from the Post to the local community by inviting local media and local leaders to learn more about us and how we can further develop mutually beneficial relationships for our veterans, their families and our communities; to provide the opportunity for local leaders, officials, politicians, police, firefighters, ems, educators and more to visit with their local American Legion Posts and meet with National and State level leadership.

The official party was greeted by the wonderful Beech Grove Legion Family as well as Mayor of Beech Grove, Dennis Buckley and Heather Harvey from US Representative André Carson's office. Great Post with Great people.  Our National Commander was also recruited to cut the cake.  

Check out the live stream from Post 276 where Brett P. Reistad, National Cmdr. of The American Legion and Rodney Strong, Department of Indiana Commander address the Post 276 Legion Family.

The second stop on the drive around, led us to Atkins Saw Post 335.  The traveling part received a warm welcome from the Post 335 Legion Family.  The post went out of their way to make the traveling party feel right at home.  

Check out the live stream from Post 276 where Brett P. Reistad, National Cmdr. of The American Legion and Rodney Strong, Department of Indiana Commander address the Post 355 Legion Family.

Crawfordsville Post 72 was a special stop for Department Commander Rodney Strong.  Post 72 just happens to be his home post.  And the Post pulled out all of the stops.  The traveling party was greeted by an honor guard at the entrance of the Post.  After a program featuring local and state leadership as well as local first responders, the group was treated to a fantastic dinner to close out the evening.

Check out the live stream from Post 72 where Brett P. Reistad, National Cmdr. of The American Legion, Rodney Strong, Department of Indiana Commander, Betty Slagle, Department Auxiliary President, Doug Heiser SAL Detachment Commander and Micheal Brady Legion Riders Director address the Post 72 Legion Family.