May 23, 2007

Governor Doyle Announces Winner of Virginia Hart Award

Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Peggy Meyers, most recently Education Director at Stanley Correctional Institution for the Department of Corrections (DOC), is the winner of the 2007 Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award. 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. Meyers was honored at a ceremony in the Senate Parlor of the State Capitol Wednesday and was presented with her award by Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton.

“Peggy’s devotion to correctional education and literacy has benefited not just the Department, but the entire state,” Department of Corrections Secretary Matt Frank said.  “By helping thousands of inmates make educational gains and improving their chances of succeeding in society, Peggy and other DOC educators have helped prevent new crimes, resulting in safer and stronger Wisconsin communities in the long run.  While Peggy has taken on a new challenge with the Wisconsin Technical Colleges System, the strong educational program she built at Stanley Correctional will continue as a legacy of her hard work and commitment."     

At the Department of Corrections, Ms. Meyers emphasized the importance of literacy, as an advocate of both correctional education and community literacy, and coordinating meetings and training for literacy representatives throughout Wisconsin.  Most recently Peggy has been chosen to receive the 2007 Celebration of Literacy Award for Literary Advocate of the Year.  Outside of her state employment, she is also involved with her family; her church community, serving on its board and as the council president; and is a past president of the Jaycees.  Recently Peggy has accepted a job with the Wisconsin Technical College System Board, and will be very much missed by her colleagues at the Department of Corrections.

Also receiving honorable mentions at today’s event were Mary Clark and Jill Haglund, employees at the Department of Public Instruction; and Tammy Gorzlancyk, Connie Griesbach and Carol Tillotson, employees at the Department of Transportation; and Mary Moore, an employee at the Department of Workforce Development.

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 her retirement from state service in 1983, friends and colleagues established a fund in her name for recognizing a woman in Wisconsin state service each year.  On March 24, 2007, Virginia Hart passed away at the age of 92.  Virginia Hart’s grace and integrity will be missed by many who knew her.  

The Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award is administered by the Office of State Employment Relations.

Peg Meyers is joined by DOC staff.

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