National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) will present Marlene Hammerman of St. Louis with the Enduring Advocate for Social Change Award during NCJW’s Washington Institute 2016 public policy event March 13-15 in Washington, D.C.

The award recognizes the contributions of a member who has been a leader instrumental in advancing social change in NCJW’s name in her community over a period of 10 or more years.  

“Marlene Hammerman symbolizes NCJW’s commitment to advocate on behalf of women, children, and families and to advance social and economic justice,” said NCJW President Debbie Hoffmann. “A charismatic and visionary leader, Marlene has worked tirelessly throughout her volunteer career to educate the community on issues, to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, and to serve people in need.”

Hammerman was the driving force behind the latest community service initiative of NCJW-St. Louis Section’s Project Renewal, which empowers underserved women by providing clothing, education and resources to succeed at work and home. In its second year, Project Renewal volunteers, including Hammerman, work one-on-one with women to teach them interviewing, financial literacy and communication skills. Another NCJW-St. Louis initiative, Healing Hearts Bank, a microlending program for victims of domestic violence and underserved women, grew directly from her work both locally and nationally on NCJW’s Higher Ground (domestic violence) campaign. 

When asked to sum up her motivation over more than three decades, Hammerman said, “I advocate for changes in public policy that will impact everyone, but that’s often a slow process. So I do what I can to make a difference one life at a time. I strive for a time when all people have the support they need to live with dignity and fulfill their potential.” 

For more information on the NCJW Washington Institute 2016, visit ncjw.org/WI2016.