A room filled with powerful women: Local clinic hosts 4th annual Esteemed Women of Mich. luncheon

The Royal Park Hotel in Rochester was teeming with moguls from all career paths Monday afternoon as 27 women were applauded at the 4th annual Esteemed Women of Michigan luncheon.

Recognized for their work and impact in surrounding communities, the females celebrated ranged from presidents of local companies, foundation leaders, to a mayor, the U.S. attorney for Eastern District of Mich., a former police sergeant and youth activist to state senator and more.

Balancing work, life and community

Whether you hear it from predecessors or you experience it first-hand, balancing life and work is an art. But for the 27 women honored, they seem to have it down.

It couldn’t have been more appropriate: Mistress of ceremonies and former WXYZ news anchor Diana Lewis and daughter Glenda Lewis were running late to Monday’s event because of a sick child at home.

With a babysitter in play, the media duo arrived just as plates were being served to guide the rest of the luncheon.

But the two navigated the gamble families encounter daily, and still found time for their community.

That is precisely the reason the 2013 nominees were honored—a balance of life, work and community.

The Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic, a free medical clinic in Pontiac, hosted the luncheon.

“I get the opportunity to meet these women who are doing so many wonderful things,” said Pam Haratsis, executive director for the clinic. “It’s very inspiring—they truly are,” she said.

To commemorate, Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett gave all honorees as they crossed the stage.

“This is just such a wonderful organization and I have been privileged to work with them,” said Frances Moceri, who was nominated for her work with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Mich. Chapter.

As for the 2014 Esteemed Women of Mich., this year’s honorees will nominate next year’s recipients.

Nominated for her writing

With honorees of all ages and communities, the event also has its focus on future generations. Each year, a female high school student is selected for crafting an inspiring essay.

This year’s topic: What are you doing to implement change in your community?

“There are young women taking on causes for abuse and women’s rights and we were just astounde

d to see this,” Haratsis said. “These are the young women that in the years to come, will be the Esteemed Women. These women are going places, they’re doing things for people.”

Maggie Berwick, 17, from the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills, earned her spot at the luncheon for her essay. Berwick’s writing details how she created a high school club: Women’s Rights Awareness Club, which examines social injustices on a larger scale.

“It’s just a way for a lot of girls at the school to get together—we talk about current events and things going on in the world and how we feel about them,” she said.

Excited and preparing to accept her pin on stage, “It’s cool to go to something like this that’s prestigious and important,” said of Monday’s event.

She was also honored for her work tutoring youngsters, traveling abroad for humanity projects as well as founding a community service club.

Berwick received $500 for her entry.

While most recipients attended the luncheon, a few had representatives accept their award and one honoree’s life was celebrated in memoriam. Francile Anderson, a true spitfire as Jay Haratsis, chairman for the clinic, described her, passed away only weeks before the event.

For a complete list of the 2013 Esteemed Women of Michigan and how they are influencing their community, be sure to visit www.GaryBurnsteinClinic.org.

The Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic

The Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic in Pontiac serves uninsured and underinsured patients in Oakland County from teaching their patients how to manage chronic conditions to providing the medications and equipment needed to do this—free of cost.

“(Patients) want to get well, they want to get their life back, they want to go back to work,” Haratsis said.

Roughly four years ago, Charlotte Richardson’s health was in peril. Legally blind, enduring arthritis and diabetes without health insurance, she was referred to the clinic after a bout in the hospital.

“Through them, I’ve been able to have quality of life that I didn’t have before,” she said. “These are beautiful people.”

Richardson now volunteers with the clinic because “to give back is great for me,” she said.

And, like their reach in the community, the clinic continues to grow as plans to expand come to fruition.

“We will go from a rented 1,500-square-foot building to a 5,000-square-foot facility,” she said. And they are hoping to offer community education classes in the near future.

While so much is changing, one thing remains the same, Haratsis says, the clinic could never operate without their team of volunteers—from physicians, pharmacists, nurses and everyone in between.

“This to me, is where the heart of the community lives,” Lewis said on Monday.

The clinic does not receive Medicare or Medicaid and operates on donation, grant funding and self-funding.

To learn more about the clinic, check out www.GaryBurnsteinClinic.org.