The Legal Aid Society held its 149th Annual Meeting on Monday, where staff were recognized for their service and dedication to the organization and its clients.

The Orison S. Marden Awards were created in 1976 during Legal Aid’s centennial year to recognize the excellence of the staff and to honor the memory of Mr. Marden, a partner at White & Case who served as a Director and Chairman for many years.

Core Staff Marden Award were presented to Milagros Oliveras, Paralegal I, Civil Practice. The Staff Attorney Marden Award was presented to Frederic Pratt, Staff Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice and the Manager Marden Award was presented to Sheneka McKenzie-Sage, Senior Director, Social Work & Holistic Service, Juvenile Rights Practice.

Frederic Pratt (center) with Zachary Carter and Twyla Carter. 

Sheneka McKenzie-Sage (center) with Zachary Carter and Twyla Carter.

The Sandra Scott Memorial Award honors the memory of our beloved Chief Financial Officer who lost her battle with cancer in 2016. Bernette Carway, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, was presented with this year’s award.

Bernette Carway (center) with the Talent Acquisition team. 

Zachary W. Carter introduced each of the awardees. He concluded the evening with the announcement that he would be stepping down as Legal Aid’s Chair of the Board of Directors, a position he has held since October 2021.

Members of staff celebrating their 25th, 30th, 35th, and 40th anniversaries with Legal Aid were also honored.

25 Years
Lizzie-Anne Beal
Rolando Gonzalez
Yvonne Huaringa
Roslyn R. Morrison
Dodd R. Terry
Susan E. Welber

30 Years
Gina Bisogna
Emily J. Cohen
Theresa Emeterio
Demetra D. Frazier
Michael F. Gompers
Amy C. Hausknecht
Wanjuri Hawkins
Jacqueline Holmes
Saleem S. Khan
Samuel Medina
Efrain Olmo
Samanta C. Seda
Anna Vaysleyb
Lisa D. Williams

35 Years
David B. Affler
Juan C. Beritan
Steven R. Berko
Richard E. Blum
Susan J. Clement
Olayinka Dan-Salami
Melodie A. Donovan
Yvonne Floyd-Mayers
Angel G. Frau
Susan J. Horwitz
Allison K. Lowy
Guy C. Mills
Steven J. Miraglia
Claudia E. Montoya
Michael J. Murray
Vance L. Phillip
Michael A. Raskin
Ora J. Raymore-Kenlock
Amy B. Serlin
Robert Staten
Gregory C. Williams

40 Years
Elizabeth B. Emmons
Harold Ferguson
Arthur H. Hopkirk
Rosemarie O. Jackson
Margarita Menuar
Michelle I. Noah
Nilsa A. Saniel