NEIGHBORS
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge Marilyn Horan was selected as the Steel Magnolia Award honoree by the Middletown Community Foundation.
The Steel Magnolia Award honors women who face personal adversity, overcome obstacles and have shown exceptional strength, courage, compassion and leadership through their work in support of their communities.
The Middletown Community Foundation administers the program. It is funded by the AK Steel Foundation.
Horan was raised by a single mother, endured several surgeries due to a birth defect and is a cancer survivor. She was elected Butler County's first female judge and has volunteered with the Community Health Clinic of Butler, YMCA, American Cancer Society, Community Health Assessment Policy Council, Butler County Head Start Policy Council and the Center for Community Resources.
Middletown Community Foundation executive director, T. Duane Gordon, said the award recipients represent those who put the community's needs above their own.
Each recipient can designate an eligible charity to receive a $1,000 donation in honor of her selection. Horan chose St. Wendelin School in memory of Carol Mitch.
The Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center received a $60,000 grant from the Hillman Foundation.The center needs renovation due to a fire that destroyed a portion of the building. The grant will facilitate painting, new office work spaces and new carpeting.Natalie Ross, executive director at the center, said, “The center will now have a clean and healthy environment for clients and staff to be in, thanks to the generous funding.”
