Maureen Osako Honored With “Woman of the Year” Award.
The Woman’s Equality Day Celebration was held this past Friday, August 26th at the Kirkwood Training & Outreach Services Center in Marion, Iowa. Maureen Osako was among two honorees presented with the prestigious award.
The event was held to honor local women for their efforts to achieve equality for area women and girls in Cedar Rapids and Linn County. “Receiving this award is such an amazing honor,” stated Maureen Osako. “I have always considered it to be a real opportunity and privilege to be involved with so many important organizations and causes over the years that support the needs of women and girls in our community.”
Maureen Osako is highly active in local organizations that directly impact local women. Osako has served on the board of directors for United Way of East Central Iowa, Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa, Brucemore, Waypoint, and Meth-Wick. Services provided for the Iowa Women’s Leadership Conference, the Professional Women’s Network, and the Downtown Cedar Rapids Rotary further exemplify her commitment to the community.
The celebration also honored Cedar Rapids resident Shirley Ruedy, a nationally recognized cancer journalist and survivor currently writing a biweekly “Cancer Update” column that appears in the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Also participating in the event was keynote speaker Diane Ramsey, Executive Director of the Iowa Women’s Leadership Conference.
Women’s Equality Day is celebrated each year on the anniversary of women in the United States obtaining the right to vote. Women earned the right to vote on August 26th, 1920, when the 19th Amendment was certified.