Local Attorney Recognized As Outstanding Woman
Audrey Blondin recieves Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Award
Audrey
Blondin, an attorney with a practice in Torrington and a member of the Litchfield
Board of Selectmen, was recognized as an Outstanding Woman of Connecticut
in early March.The Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Award honors women in Connecticut ho provide services to others in the arts, social services, humanitarian aid, environmental protection, on a professional and volunteer basis.
Mrs. Blondin has organized a number of volunteer projects, has worked in town government for many years and holds various leadership positions within her profession.
"As a dedicated member of your community, you are an example of what makes our cities and towns work. Your commitment to volunteerism and to your own area of expertise makes Connecticut a better place to live, and makes you a role model to others." Lt. Gov. Jodi Rell wrote in a letter to Mrs. Blondin, congratulating her for the recognition.
"I was very honored to get this award, but it's not something I could have gotten without the support of the people around me professionally, politically, and from my husband and family," Mrs. Blondin said.
Mrs. Blondin and her husband optometrist Dr. Matthew Blondin and their daughter, Rose, have assisted more then 10,000 residents on San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua with eye care services during the past five years. The couple also has two sons, Joseph and Nicholas.
Two years ago, the Blondin's formed a Connecticut chapter of (VOSH), Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, an international organization that provides vision care to people in underdeveloped countries. A box is set up at the town hall to collect glasses for the program.
Mrs. Blondin's most recent volunteer project was to set up a box in town hall to collect donations for the troops serving in Iraq. She plans to send the donations to Major Kevin Creed, a Litchfield resident who is stationed overseas. He will distribute them to his fellow soldiers.
In 1999, Mrs. Blondin traveled to China as part of a delegation of female attorneys. She presented a seminar about the town meeting form of government to university students and professors. Mrs. Blondin is the first female attorney to serve as a member of the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee. She said she is looking forward to electing a Democrat as governor in 2006.
She attributes much of her success to the people she works with, adding that she has a wonderful staff at her law office in Torrington.
"It's not really what I do, it's the support from the people around me," she said.
Mrs. Blondin also serves at the Connecticut Bankruptcy Attorneys and is Litchfield's Public Information Officer under the State Emergency Response Commission. She has served on the Board of Selectmen since 1993.
"It's been a great board to serve on for 10 years now," Mrs. Blondin said.
The veteran selectman is sending two of her three children to college next year, which she said is taking up a lot of her time now, but she still stays involved with the town and her other involvements. It all requires a lot of energy, she said, but she has no plans to stop.
"I think, God willing, I'll be doing it for a few more years," Mrs. Blondin said
.
The award is presented annually by the United Nations Association of Connecticut and UNIFEM- Connecticut. It was named for Ruth Steinkraus Cohen, who organized the United Nations Association of Connecticut.
Audrey B. Blondin practices in Torrington
and recently was appointed the Connecticut chairwoman of the
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
Readers may write her at 379 Prospect St., Torrington 06790. Her e-mail address is audbl@aol.com..