Attorney Stacey Fuller Honored as Chester County Woman of Achievement

The March of Dimes awarded three Chester County women who’ve had a remarkable impact on business, health and public service at its 33rd Annual Salute to Women of Achievement awards presentation Wednesday night at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern.

Sen. Carolyn Comitta was there to present Stacey L. Fuller, Partner, Gawthrop Greenwood, Attorneys at Law, with a citation of congratulations as Fuller accepted the Business Award from the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes says Fuller has made Chester County a better place to live and work while raising funds for the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies. Fuller was proud to be awarded alongside Brenda A. Allen, PhD, President of Lincoln University, and Donna Sinnott, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant & Doula, Main Line Health’s Paoli Hospital.

Mell Josephs introduced Fuller at the awards ceremony. Josephs is a 2007 March of Dimes Women of Achievement Public Service Recipient and Former Executive Director of West Chester University Student Services, Inc. Josephs said, “Stacey is joining an incredible mosaic of outstanding March of Dimes recognized women… Witnessing Stacey perform all her responsibilities and tasks with a deep sense of commitment, caring, a calm dedication to doing what’s wright and most important — with intellect — this is a special recognition for a very special person.”

Fuller addressed the March of Dimes audience, saying, “When I moved here in 2004, after practicing law in North Carolina, one of the first events I attended was the Women of Achievement Dinner. I vividly remember sitting at the Gawthrop table, not unlike tonight, and being awed by the people surrounding me. Leaders in business, leaders in the community, elected officials — all there to honor three outstanding women in Chester County who were making a difference in their fields and in their community. I had no idea that 18 year later, so many honorees would become personal friends and colleagues. That makes this a truly breathtaking experience. So thank you!”

The honorees were notified in June that they were chosen as the 2022 Salute to Women of Achievement. Wednesday’s formal awards presentation raised proceeds that directly support local initiatives for March of Dimes, Philadelphia and South Jersey Market.

“The Chester County Salute to Women of Achievement has raised more than $1 million to help the March Dimes fight for the health of all moms and babies. We are grateful for the hard work of this year’s honorees, as well as the corporate sponsors, generous donors and volunteers who make it all possible,” said event co-chairs Kate Ward, CEO of Ward Design; Helen Mountain, Partner at Lamb McErlane PC and Karen Kofalt, Vice President of Professional Services at Main Line Health.

Business Award: Stacey L. Fuller, Partner, Gawthrop Greenwood, Attorneys at Law

A partner and shareholder with the law firm Gawthrop Greenwood, PC, Stacey L. Fuller has handled some of Chester County’s most high-profile land development and zoning matters during a period of historic growth for the region, representing municipalities, townships, boroughs, planning commissions and zoning hearing boards, as well as individual developers and residents. Her work resulted in Stacey being named 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Land Use and Zoning Law in the Philadelphia region by Best Lawyers in America®.

Stacey also has a stellar reputation for her practice in education and special education law, as parents, public and private schools encounter a larger volume of social, economic and behavioral challenges than ever before. She represents charter and alternative schools—both in regular and special education matters—as well as serving as a parent advocate, assisting parents with securing necessary services for their children.

In 2013, Stacey welcomed her daughter Jackie, who was born six weeks prematurely. That experience led Stacey to devote countless hours to the March of Dimes, including serving on the board of March of Dimes events and serving as Ambassador Family for the 2014 March for Babies and Women of Achievement Dinner in West Chester.

Public Service Award: Brenda A. Allen, PhD, President of Lincoln University

As Lincoln University’s 14th president, Brenda A. Allen has been aggressively implementing a strategic plan designed to ensure Lincoln’s place among great liberal arts institutions. The current investments prioritize enhancing academic quality and improving operational effectiveness with projects such as revising the curriculum, increasing support for faculty teaching and scholarship, expanding co-curricular opportunities, and restructuring the administration.

Additionally, Dr. Allen has made progress on extensive renovations, upgrades and additions to the 422-acre, 56-building campus. Knowing the value of the School for Adult and Continuing Education located in downtown Philadelphia, Dr. Allen has redoubled the University’s effort to expand the programs offered. The primary focus has been on instituting a vibrant continuing education unit designed to offer adults the opportunity to earn credentials and advance their careers.

Before becoming president of the University, Dr. Allen served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Winston Salem State University. Dr. Allen has also served as associate provost and director of institutional diversity at Brown University and at Smith College where she served as a professor and chair of the African American Studies Department, the assistant to the president, director of institutional diversity, and special assistant to the provost.

Healthcare Award: Donna Sinnott, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant & Doula, Main Line Health’s Paoli Hospital

Donna Sinnott is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, a Certified Birth Doula and Certified Postpartum Doula. Her journey began after the birth of her first child when she struggled with breastfeeding, inspiring her work as an advocate for healthy moms and strong babies for 30 years.

At Main Line Health, “Boob Donna” – as she is fondly known for her expertise in lactation – has been successfully empowering thousands of women and families with her positive, non-judgmental educational style. When the pandemic hit, she became the lead educator of Main Line Health’s Prenatal Breastfeeding classes, in which she has personally taught over 3,000 families virtually. In 2016, she was awarded the Barbara Tachovsky 5 Star Care Award, given to only one hospital employee each year. She has been system chair of the Lactation Committee and serves as coordinator of the Keystone 10 Initiative, a Department of Health initiative aimed at improving the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding for all Pennsylvania families.

About the March of Dimes

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 84-year legacy, we support every pregnant person and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.