2011 Annual Benefit

A Benefit Evening Not Soon Forgotten

“The best ever!” said attendees of our 2011 annual benefit. Keynote speaker Victoria Kennedy spoke before a rapt audience of 350 about how she has dealt with grief in her life.
Special honoree Carol Pensky, (right) who has devoted over 25 years to caring and supporting the Wendt Center, received several poignant tributes, including a serenade by the a cappella group Reverb, and was featured in a moving video about the Wendt Center and her critical role in its development.
Click here to view the 2011 Benefit slideshow on Picasa.

Thank you to…

Keynote Speaker: Victoria Kennedy

Victoria Reggie Kennedy is an attorney and co-founder of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The EMK Institute, which will be located on the campus of UMass Boston, next door to the JFK Library, has been created to invigorate public discourse, encourage participatory democracy and inspire the next generation of citizens and leaders.

She has been named by UMass Boston as a Distinguished Professor and Mentor, where she will lecture on issues of the day, mentor students and represent the University to the community at large.

She holds a Presidential appointment to serve on the Board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and remains very involved in her community by serving on several other non-profit boards relating to the arts, education, faith, health and safety.

Mrs. Kennedy speaks to audiences around the country, inspiring and motivating them to be active participants in the life of the country and in their own lives. Having experienced the illness and death of her husband against a backdrop of unique public accomplishment, she will share with us her own insights and reflections on this most profoundly human experience.

Carol Pensky, 2011 Honoree

This year’s Benefit is being held in honor of Carol Pensky. Carol is a longtime Board member and leader at the Wendt Center and has played a critical role in its growth and development over the years.

For over 25 years, the staff and Board of the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing has benefitted from Carol’s consistent leadership and dynamic vision. She has served on the Board of Directors for 25 years and on our Advisory Board for 3 years. In addition, Carol has chaired or held a prominent leadership role on our annual Benefit committee since 1983. In doing so, she has galvanized a large community of friends and acquaintances in support of the Center’s work.

We are honored to have this very unique opportunity to pay tribute to our dearest friend and supporter, Carol Pensky, and hope you will join us for a very, very special evening.

Master of Ceremonies: Barbara Harrison

We are honored to have another member of the Wendt Center family, Barbara Harrison as our emcee, this year. She is a morning anchor at NBC4 and reports the weekly segment “Wednesday’s Child.” Her interest in child health led to her central role in a major station community outreach campaign that received local and national awards, including a special commendation from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. She received the Ted Yates Award for outstanding community service. In addition, she has received several Emmy awards and other recognition for her work, including an award for a half-hour special she reported and produced, “The Healing of Kuwait.”