Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Gena L. Jarr is the recipient
of the annual Virginia Hart Award in recognition of her public service
at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. The Virginia Hart Award is
given annually to a woman in state government in honor of exemplary
performance in public service that improves the quality of life for
Wisconsin citizens. Ms. Jarr was honored at a ceremony in the Senate
Parlor at the State Capitol this afternoon, and Lt. Governor Barbara
Lawton presented her with the award.
“Through her work at the Department of Corrections, Ms. Jarr has gone
beyond the call of duty to protect the safety of her community and its
citizens, and to ensure that offenders who have paid the penalty for
their crimes are successfully reintegrated into the community,” Governor
Doyle said. “Her leadership abilities, strong partnerships with law
enforcement and other community stakeholders, work ethic, and long-term
commitment to the field of community corrections have made her truly
deserving of this award. She has earned the respect and admiration of
her colleagues and is to be commended for her dedicated and committed
public service to the citizens of the State of Wisconsin.”
Ms. Jarr was recognized for her work as a corrections field
supervisor with the Division of Community Corrections in Eau Claire. She
developed the first Community Advisory Board in Eau Claire, and as a
result of her work with the Board, the Eau Claire Restorative Justice
Program and the Eau Claire Drug Court Program were implemented. She also
produced a desk-top reference manual for probation and parole agents in
the Region 5 Sex Offender Specialized Supervision Program, which is
utilized state-wide. In addition, for the past two years, Ms. Jarr has
served as the program coordinator for the Wisconsin Correctional
Association. Ms. Jarr has also coordinated a partnership for several
years with local law enforcement for holding high-risk offenders
accountable.
“Gena Jarr’s achievements demonstrate the tremendous value that women
contribute to our communities, our state government, and to all
employers throughout our state,” Lt. Governor Lawton said. “She serves
as a wonderful role model for young people who are considering a career
in public service.”
Also receiving honorable mentions at today’s event were Jill Hjelsand
and Patricia McCallum, both employees of the Department of
Transportation; Cindy O’Donnell and Susan WhiteHorse, employees of the
Department of Justice; Rhonda O’Leary, employee of the Department of
Natural Resources; and Ann Smith, employee of the Department of
Workforce Development . All six were recognized for their outstanding
contributions to state government and the citizens of Wisconsin.
Christine Lidbury, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Women’s
Council, also presented remarks at the ceremony on the accomplishments
and value of women in state government.
The awards were given in honor of Virginia Hart, Wisconsin’s first
woman cabinet member. Virginia Hart served as Secretary of the
Department of Regulation and Licensing, chairperson of the Department of
Industry, Labor and Human Relations, and as chairperson of the Labor and
Industry Review Commission. Upon Virginia Hart’s retirement from state
service in 1983, friends and colleagues established a fund so that each
year a woman in Wisconsin state service could be recognized for
exemplary performance and contribution to the citizens of the state. The
recognition award is administered by the Office of State Employment
Relations.
