WASHINGTON, March 28,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Paralyzed Veterans of
America today announced Senator Elizabeth Dole as the recipient of its
2024 Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award.
Senator Dole was selected for this prestigious award due to her
extensive history of advocacy and support for the healthcare of
Veterans and their caregivers. Her dedication to the well-being of
the nation's heroes and their families has left an indelible mark
on the community, embodying the spirit of the Mansfield Award.
PVA will present the award to Senator Dole during an evening VIP
reception at the Igniting Change Gala on April 12, 2024, at MGM National Harbor in
Oxon Hill, Maryland.
"We are honored to celebrate the achievements and profound
difference made by Senator Dole throughout her illustrious career
as a public servant and advocate," said Carl Blake, Chief Executive Officer for
Paralyzed Veterans of America. "Her dedication to our nation's
heroes and their caregivers has continued to strengthen our shared
mission to make a positive impact on the lives of Veterans and
individuals with disabilities, as well as those who support and
care for them."
First presented to her late husband, Senator
Bob Dole, in 2015, this award
recognizes elected officials who have consistently demonstrated
exemplary leadership and unwavering support for PVA's priorities in
the areas of Veterans health care and benefits, as well as
disability civil rights. Previous honorees include U.S.
Representative Mike Bost,
former U.S. Representative Jim
Langevin, U.S. Senator Tammy
Duckworth, the late U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, U.S. Senator
Patty Murray, and former U.S.
Representative Jeff
Miller.
PVA's Igniting Change Gala will celebrate Women Veterans,
influencers, and innovators – like Sen. Dole – who work hard to
create an inclusive world in the areas of accessibility,
employment, and medical care. The star-studded affair will feature
entertainment by award-winning country music
artist Martina
McBride and bring together industry, government,
and the public sector to honor those leading the fight for
disability civil rights. Sports broadcasting icon Hannah Storm will serve as emcee and sports
industry pioneer Bonnie-Jill
Laflin will be a special guest. Former U.S. Navy Captain
and NASA Astronaut Wendy
Lawrence will be the keynote speaker. Among the
evening's honorees are the Target Corporation, which will
receive PVA's 2024 Inclusivity Award. Many more
honorees, special guests, and presenters will be unveiled in the
days ahead.
The gala is made possible by a variety of generous sponsors and
supporters, including the Jeffrey M. Carlton Foundation, Penske
Automotive Group, Penske Truck Leasing, and TriWest Healthcare
Alliance.
Companies or individuals who wish to learn more about PVA's
Igniting Change Gala, become a sponsor, or purchase a table should
contact SponsorshipTeam@PVA.org or
visit PVA.org/Gala. ***PVA photos will be
available upon request.
About Paralyzed Veterans of America
Paralyzed
Veterans of America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the only
congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated
solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal
cord injury or diseases. The organization ensures veterans receive
the benefits earned through service to our nation; monitors their
care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funds research and
education in the search for a cure and improved care for
individuals with paralysis. As a life-long partner and advocate for
veterans and all people with disabilities, PVA also develops
training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in
public buildings and spaces, and provides health and rehabilitation
opportunities through sports and recreation. With more than 70
offices and 33 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans of America serves
veterans, their families, and their caregivers in all 50 states,
the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Learn more at
PVA.org.
About Elizabeth Dole
A
native of Salisbury, North
Carolina, Elizabeth Dole
graduated with distinction from Duke
University as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, earned a law
degree from Harvard Law School, and
a Master of Arts in Teaching from Harvard
University. She served as Deputy to the Special Assistant
for Consumer Affairs during the Nixon Administration, launching a
career of dedication to public safety, for which she received the
Humanitarian Award from the National Commission Against Drunk
Driving and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Advocates for
Highway and Auto Safety. She was selected for induction into the
Safety and Health Hall of Fame International for her
transportation, workplace, and blood safety accomplishments. In the
fall of 2012, the National Safety Council presented her their
"Flame of Life Award" as one of the century's foremost leaders on
safety.
Her resume includes six years as a member of the Federal Trade
Commission, and two years as Assistant to President Reagan for
Public Liaison. In 1983, she became the first woman to be appointed
U.S. Secretary of Transportation, serving five years. She later
served as U.S. Secretary of Labor where top priorities included
workplace safety, resolving the very bitter 11-month Pittston Coal
Strike, and initiatives to help youth at-risk.
Throughout her career, she has strived to help women and
minorities reach their full potential. Elizabeth Dole learned to leverage resources,
look for innovative solutions and inspire people to work together
to champion breakthrough issues of quantum importance during her
years in public service. For example, as Secretary of
Transportation, she worked with the late Senator Lautenberg and the
late Senator Lugar to ensure enactment of the 21-year-old drinking
age. At virtually the same time, she issued a landmark regulation
which is credited with widespread enactment of the first state
safety belt laws and air bags in cars. These three actions, the
"Trifecta", have saved nearly 500,000 lives to date with a
projected 20,000 per year going forward.
Elizabeth Dole was only the
second woman to serve as president since Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in
1881. She totally restructured the world's largest humanitarian
organization during her eight years as president, serving as a
volunteer in her first year. She led a massive transformation of
the way the Red Cross collects, tests, and distributes one-half of
the nation's blood supply, to ensure that blood is safe to give and
safe to get. Following the Red Cross, she sought the Republican
presidential nomination, becoming the first viable female candidate
from a major political party. Elected in 2002, Senator Dole became
the first woman to represent North
Carolina in the United
States Senate.
In 2012, she founded Caring for Military Families: The Elizabeth
Dole Foundation to raise awareness and support for the 5.5 million
young spouses, mothers, fathers and other loved ones caring for our
nation's wounded warriors at home. She is leading a movement to
expose the military caregiver crisis and generate critical
resources to help these hidden heroes.
Senator Dole has received numerous awards. Most recently, she
received the Sylvanus Thayer Award from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; the George
Catlett Marshall Medal from the Association of the United States
Army; the Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service;
the Hiring Our Heroes President's Award for Lifetime Achievement
bestowed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. She has also
received the Distinguished Service Medal from the American Legion;
the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, Department of the Army; and
the Military Officers Association of America's National Service
Award. She was honored by Public Counsel with its prestigious
William O. Douglas Award, the AARP
Andrus Award, and the Former Members of Congress Association's
Civic Statesmanship Award, among others. Senator Dole resides in
Washington, DC.
Contact: Oname Thompson
othompson@pva.org
(703) 864-5980 cell
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SOURCE Paralyzed Veterans of America