A Well-Deserved Award

To the Editor:

“Wiedemann Receives 2009 Ella Grasso Women’s Leadership Award” [The Newtown Bee, 10/23/09].

We have lived in Newtown for a little over seven years and I have known Anna Wiedemann for most of that time. I cannot think of anybody who deserves this recognition more. Your article revealed some of the volunteer accomplishments Anna has made; however, I would like to speak of the one I am most familiar with.

Anna was the Newtown Middle School’s PTA president for several years, even after she no longer had children in the school system. She spent many hours preparing for meetings, attending other functions that would impact the parents and schools, and all the while fulfilling her responsibilities of a full-time job. The committees she has chaired or sat on are too long to list. Wherever there was a void, Anna would step up and fill it.

Anna has done all of this with one goal in mind — to make sure that each individual in our community is informed, heard, and appreciated. As Anna said herself, “.... You don’t do these things looking for a pat on the back. I do them because I enjoy them...” I can say without a second’s hesitation that these are Anna’s true feelings.

Yes, without question, Anna Wiedemann deserves this award. As far as I’m concerned, it was a no brainer.

Anne Kluga

10 Concord Ridge Drive, Newtown                           October 25, 2009