New Britain Democrats will honor former State Senator Theresa Bielinski Gerratana at a reception on Wednesday, June 19th at the Crystal Ballroom, 211 Farmington Avenue, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Gerratana’s service in the Legislature as a five term state representative and four-term senator from the 6th district and for her support on issues of importance to the city’s Polish American community will be recognized by Democratic and community leaders.
The Democratic Town Committee and the Polish American Foundation are co-hosting the reception and the host committee includes: Adrian Baron, Andre Blaszcynski, Lucian Pawlak, Peter Tercyak, Ron Jakubowski, Ann Speyer, Teresa Sapieha-Yanchak, Bill Shortell, Donald DeFronzo, Bobby Sanchez, Ronald Perry Davis, Lilia Kieltyka, Eva Magnuszewski, Darek Barcikowski and Larry Hermanowski.
Gerratana was re-elected to her Senate seat in 2018 and subsequently joined the administration of Governor Ned Lamont accepting an appointment as a senior advisor on health policy in the Office of Health Strategy where she works on health care access issues and health systems planning to end disparities in delivery of quality care.
In the state Senate, Gerratana co-chaired the public health committee and led efforts to create a breast and cervical cancer early detection and treatment referral program and to require 48-hour inpatient care for mothers and infants after normal child delivery. In 2016, she led the charge on a number of critical public health issues, including the passage of a strong, multi-faceted law that seeks to combat opioid addiction and save lives.
Central Connecticut State University honored Gerratana and six others with a “Women of Influence” award in 2016. Gerratana is a 1975 alumna of CCSU. Former Senator Gerratana previously received the Town Committee’s Distinguished Service Award for her 10 years in the state House of Representatives.
Gerratana was first elected to the state House in 1992 in the old 23rd Assembly District and through five terms served as Co-Chair of the Human Services Committee and Vice Chair of the Select Committee on Children. Her public and community service began in the 1980s as local President of the League of Women Voters, a member of the city ethics commission and on nonprofit boards, including the YWCA, the Junior League and New Britain Art League.
The suggested contribution for the June 19th reception is $50 per guest and $100 for sponsors. For more information or to RSVP email johnhmcnamara@gmail.com or call 860-416-0665.
Proceeds will benefit the DTC and Polish American Foundation. Checks are payable to NBDTC c/o John McNamara, 56 Brighton Street, New Britain, CT 06053.
A New Britain Democratic Town Committee event. Contribution forms are available at https://newbritaindemocrat.org/donate/
