2017 Emily Farley Award Recipient
Ann Luther joined the League in 1998 when she retired as Sr. Vice President at SEI Investments. During her long tenure she has served as LWVME president or co-president (2003-2009) and she currently serves as LWVME treasurer. Since joining, she has demonstrated commitment, devotion to service, and a level of contribution that is leaps and bounds above the average. However, she would be the first to recognize these characteristics in others. In fact, she would humbly state she contributes no more than others.
It was a little over a decade ago, when the League in Maine was faltering. Membership was dropping and there were very few active volunteers. It was during this time that this year's recipient took a risk and a job others refused. She became the State League President, gathering individuals across the state and encouraging them to become members of the board. She did this, of course, using her sincere motivational skills. In doing so, she not only saved the League in Maine, but she breathed life back into it, reinstating its original purpose and passion. It is possible the League would not now exist if she had not taken that risk. She was the 2013 recipient of the Baldwin Award from the ACLU of Maine for her work on voting rights and elections and in recognition of her volunteerism, she became the namesake and the 2017 inaugural recipient of the LWVME’s Ann L. Luther Volunteerism Award.
There are many people across the State of Maine who work closely with this year's recipient, and three of her colleagues—Andrew Bossie, Alison Smith, and Jill Ward—shared some of their thoughts. They described her as: Competent. Masterful. Modest. Generous spirit. Respectful. Appreciative of other’s quirks and strengths. Encouraging. Purposeful. Compassionate. Determined. Unwavering dedication. Incredibly unselfish. Great intellect. Fierce tenacity.......and Poker-faced (It's a good thing.)
Andrew Bossie said: In times of challenge, she is much like the captain of a ship. When the seas get stormy and it looks as if the boat is in danger, instead of jumping overboard, she uses her poker face and remains calm (even if she doesn't feel that way.) In doing so, others also remain composed, bringing the boat safely into land and accomplishing the task successfully as a result.
Alison Smith stated, I wish Emily Farley and this year's recipient would have served together. Nobody embodies the Emily Farley ethic as much as this person does.
Jill Ward noted There is one thing this year's recipient is NOT: manipulative. However, The Emily Farley Committee and the LWVPA Board used a little manipulation to invite Ann to travel three hours from Trenton to be with us tonight without revealing the real reason for her presence: the award! Under the circumstances, we hope that she forgives us.