Emerge Vermont, the state’s premier organization for recruiting and training Democratic women to run for office, announced today that Representative Maxine Grad is the recipient of the 2022 Governor Madeleine M. Kunin Achievement Award.
The award, bestowed in honor of Governor Kunin, is given annually to a Democratic woman in Vermont with significant political achievements. Recipients must meet criteria including maintaining a consistent focus on mentoring and supporting women in their political, professional, and educational pursuits; focusing on policy work that expands opportunities for others; and evidence of her work having an impact on the lives of other Vermonters.
“As both a member and chair of the Judiciary Committee in the Vermont House, Maxine Grad has had an enormous impact on Vermonters. She has worked to protect women and children, establish same sex marriage, extend reproductive rights, establish gun safety laws, eliminate the “panic defense,” and so much more. We are proud she is the recipient of the 2022 Madeleine Kunin Achievement Award,” stated Emerge Vermont Cabinet Member Joan Lenes.
The award will be presented to Rep. Grad at Emerge Vermont’s upcoming Annual Celebration of Women in Politics on Saturday, September 17th at 5:30 pm. The event will take place at Main Street Landing in Burlington and tickets are now available.
Rep. Grad is the sixth recipient of the award. Past recipients include Sallie Soule, former state legislator and Commissioner of Employment and Training (2017); Vermont Treasurer Beth Pearce (2018); Jane Stetson, former Democratic National Committee Chair (2019); Mary Sullivan, former state legislator and Democratic National Committeewoman (2020); and former Speaker of the House Gaye Symington (2021).
“We are so excited to honor Rep. Grad at our upcoming Annual Celebration,” said Elaine Haney, Executive Director of Emerge Vermont. “Her leadership in passing so much landmark legislation protecting the rights of Vermonters is truly inspiring. She is an outstanding role model.”
About Emerge Vermont
Emerge Vermont has a proven track record for getting Democratic women elected, offering training programs that deliver the skills, tools, and network necessary to run and win. Since the organization launched in 2013, Emerge Vermont has equipped 174 Vermont women with the skills needed to bring change to their communities. The program’s success is evident in its 92% win rate in the August 2022 primary election. Over a third of all alums have gone on to run for political office or been appointed to local boards or commissions. Currently 55 alums serve in elected office throughout the state, 25 of whom serve in the Legislature or statewide office.