Seleni Hosts Congressional Luncheon to Honor Women in Public Service

Two prominent public leaders to receive Winnifred Mason Huck award

On June 11, Seleni will host a Congressional Luncheon honoring women and mothers in public service and present the first annual Winnifred Mason Huck Award to two extraordinary mothers and leaders, Sylvia Burwell, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

The Huck Leadership Award is named after Winnifred Sprague Mason Huck, the first person in American history elected to the U.S. House of Representatives who managed the rigors of the political world while also bearing the tremendous responsibility of motherhood. In giving this award to Secretary Burwell and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, Seleni honors their tremendous work and leadership on behalf of women and families, and the model they set for parenthood and public service to our country’s next generation of leaders.

Secretary Burwell, who is a mother to two, has had a long career devoted to the health and well-being of children and the empowerment of women. At the helm of Health and Human Services, her mission is to ensure that all Americans can access what they need to live healthy and productive lives.

Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, is the mother and stepmother to four adult children and the proud grandmother to three. She started her career in service as a teacher, was a lead sponsor for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which strengthens our country’s ability to prosecute domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault, and has been a vocal proponent of legislation, such as Head Start, to support the well-being of children.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will give brief remarks, and the luncheon will be attended by numerous senior administration officials, senators, members of the House of Representatives, and those in the private sector who are leading efforts to support women’s maternal health and the well-being of families.