The Women's Center of Rhode Island presented Sally Lapides, president, owner and founder of Residential Properties Ltd., with the Corporate Leadership Award at the 2011 Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon (WEAL) on May 6th at the Providence Marriott. This is the ninth year of the awards and this year's event was hosted by Patrice Woods, anchor of NBC 10 News. The keynote speaker was Mary Murphy, judge of the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance."
In addition, the luncheon honored several other women and some students who have contributed to the betterment of women in the struggle against domestic abuse. Murphy and a domestic abuse survivor gave moving speeches about the trials and tactics to survive domestic violence in each of their own lives.
The other recipients were:
A Domestic Violence Survivor Award (Name Withheld)
Mary Reilly, RSM - Youth Advocacy Award
Carrie Bridges - Community Award
Ann Keefe, SSJ - Advocacy Award.
There were also several Student Awards given.
In her acceptance speech Sally said, "I am truly humbled today to receive this honor. Anyone who knows me well knows that I think of myself as a real estate professional, a devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and an activist when I see injustice. However, today, I am being recognized for something that feels so integral to my being that I've hardly given it a thought. So, it forced me to think, what have I done to help other women to achieve greatness?"
She also said, "I am very lucky that my profession has allowed me to do what I am passionate about while being able to give back to the causes and communities that support us and make RI and the world a better place to live. I have a quote on my desk that reinforces my core values every day. Sir Winston Churchill once said, 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.' I pray for the day that domestic violence is not part of our society but until then, I thank the Women's Center of RI for their amazing work and for this honor today."
Sally also thanked her parents, who taught her that we all have an obligation to give back, and said she considers herself lucky to be able to give back to the causes and communities that make Rhode Island a better place to live, and thanked the Women's Center of RI for all of their amazing work and for honoring her with the award.