Editor, The Transcript:
This week a resident heroine retires. Please accept this letter as public recognition of Jeannine H. Baker's exemplary service as executive director of Mary Abbott Children's House.
Citizens have recently gathered to honor Jeannine for all she has dreamed, initiated and achieved. The Wayne Martin Memorial Award, named for a Norman police detective who investigated child abuse cases, was presented to Jeannine at the Norman Crime Stoppers Public Safety Awards banquet in recognition of her leadership. Soon thereafter, colleagues, friends and family members gathered to thank Jeannine for fervently carrying out the mission of Abbott House in serving child victims of sexual and severe physical abuse.
As readers might envision, the nature of the work at Abbott House is difficult. It has the potential to break the heart and dampen the spirit. Yet, Jeannine persevered and has mentored countless others as they learned to do so, too. Details about actions taken by Jeannine and the Cleveland County Child Abuse Response and Treatment Team comprised of child welfare, law enforcement, mental health and medical professionals, cannot be described here. It is a necessary, at times life-saving, and at all times life-changing, endeavor. Perhaps, some have been assisted by Jeannine and know first-hand the care and competence she shared. Others have notions of her work simply in knowing her. As she stated during the awards banquet, "Abbott House is very much a part of me, and a part of my heart."
On behalf of past and current board members, allow this open, brief note to Jeannine: Abbott House provides the first step in the healing process for a child. Thank you for bringing your gifts to that process, Jeannine. Everyone associated with Abbott House is grateful, too, for your excellence in educating the community about child abuse, for advancing the purpose of MACH and for expertly managing a rapidly growing non-profit agency. We look forward to our continued relationship with you.
We enthusiastically welcome executive director Ann M. Way to Abbott House. Ann, Jeannine and members of the MACH staff have worked diligently as a team these past several weeks in ensuring a smooth transition, including continuity in all services. Sadly, each year, hundreds of local children suffer abuse. Due in large part to effective leadership and the generosity of donors, Mary Abbott Children's House is able to serve them. As a parting gift to her, we would like to assure the community that Jeannine Baker's legacy of providing safety; trust; discretion; and yes, teddy bears, will continue to be lovingly shared with children and families in need.
Don Sherman
president
board of directors
Mary Abbott Children's House
Letters
Baker's service to Mary Abbott House applauded
- Letters
-
-
More government intrusion
Editor, The Transcript: Kudos to Kathryn Jean Lopez of the National Review Online for telling it like it is (Transcript Opinion, Feb. 12, 2012) regarding President Obama’s religious “overreach.” No, Mr. President, your latest knee-jerk ...
-
It’s time for Valentine’s Day
If it’s full of hearts and flowers And a cupid with a dart, That’s a card that’s mighty pretty and aimed right for your heart....
-
Gov. Fallin’s tax plan is one big mistake
Editor, The Transcript: Well, it’s official now. In her State of the State message, Gov. Fallin confirmed that she hopes to reduce the state income tax now and totally eliminate it later. Big mistake, for two compelling reasons....
-
Another Library Vote? Good grief!
Editor, The Transcript A new library on the west side? With hardly any books? With a dumb name above the entry as shown in your rendering? Infoplace? The library bureaucracy must think Norman voters just fell off the turnip truck....
-
Eliminating state taxes places burden on poor
Editor, The Transcript: Your editorial on Feb. 8th that expressed your pleasure that the bill by Jim Wilson that would have removed the sales tax exemptions from newspapers was killed in committee was disconcerting. I can agree that the ...
-
Not time to experiment with state taxes
Editor, The Transcript Governor Fallin proposed more cuts to the state income tax in her State of the State speech Feb. 6. This comes on the heels of a House Tax Reform Task Force that also proposed phasing out the state income tax over a ...
-
Local investment is better for Norman
Editor, The Transcript Americans from all walks of life and political ideologies are asserting their voice to tell Wall Street “Enough is enough!” Occupy Norman members spoke at the Dec. 13 Norman City Council meeting, urging the city to ...
-
Decline in unions harmful to economy
Editor, The Transcript Remember sometimes you get what your ask for? Let’s see, what could that be? I know, destroy those evil unions which are compromised of the middle class....
-
Independent group needed
Editor, The Transcript: I wanted to write a letter a long time ago, but Ms. Rogers’ letter claiming that “Chromium levels in the water shouldn’t cause alarm” pushed me over the edge. As an environmental professional in Oklahoma, I have ...
-
Obamacare is socialist nightmare
Editor, The Transcript: And now for the rest of the story… “Obamacare, Another Entitlement Nightmare.” The recent St. Louis Post Dispatch editorial reprint illustrates the sophistry that characterizes the liberal mindset now grasping the ...
- More Letters Headlines
-
More government intrusion
