An Angel in Harrisburg

No one who’s a child advocate does this work for the money, glamour or fame. The reward is in knowing the efforts you put forth will someday make a difference in the life of a child. But because pushing the policy envelope can take a long time, those doing this work on behalf of children need to be committed to staying the course. Success doesn’t happen overnight.

Since 1995, Joan L. Benso has been president and CEO of our organization, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC). Joan regularly interacts with state policymakers and staff, Pennsylvania's congressional delegation, the news media, the children's advocacy community, and funders to ensure Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children and our allies support and move an agenda that creates a better place to be a child and to raise a child.

Joan’s leadership has been consistent and strong. Under her direction, PPC has helped secure passage of some key legislation for children:

 Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP);

• The state pre-kindergarten program called Pre-K Counts;
• A new school funding formula;
• High school graduation requirements; and
• A bill of rights for children in foster care.

It was these collective victories that helped seal the deal with Voices for America’s Children as the national organization chose to select Joan as the winner of its annual child advocacy award - the Florette Angel Memorial Child Advocacy Award – to be given in Memphis in June.

As a Jewish girl growing up in Louisiana, Florette Angel saw crosses burned on her family’s front lawn after her parents resisted community pressure to fire a black employee. She carried into adulthood the lesson of speaking for those who could not. Throughout her life, Florette used well-defined objectives and proven research to draw attention to those in need who would otherwise go without a champion. She raised consciousness about and created a sense of community for issues that affected diverse groups.

Voices established the award following Florette Angel’s death in 1993. This award is annually bestowed by Voices on the chief executive officer of a member organization who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, perceptive organizational vision, innovative advocacy, and effective service on behalf of children and their families.

Over the years Joan has brought together multiple private and public organizations to join forces in solidarity and work for kids. Her leadership has helped build bridges between the advocacy community and political sphere to address existing needs for early learning, K-12 public education, health care, youth development and college and career readiness.

Joan is a force to be reckoned with and we at Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children are thrilled she will receive the Florette Angel Memorial Child Advocacy Award.

Congratulations, Joan!

PPC Staff