jan monroe

receives excellance in advocacy award

by brigid o’leary

Jan Monroe , center, with two Step Parents at Awards Gala

STEPVA founder and executive director Jan Monroe was honored recently as one of the two recipients of the Darrel Tillar Mason Excellence in Advocacy Award from the disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV).

The award is given "to individuals whose work advances independence, choice, and self-determination for people with disabilities." It is named for Darrel Tillar Mason, founder of the Center for Special Education Advocacy, who the dLCV describes as "having tirelessly fought for the inclusion and rights of people with disabilities for over 50 years."

The dLCV wanted to acknowledge the power of art in overcoming isolation and fear, especially that which many disabled people experienced in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization chose to honor two individuals who exemplified inclusion through the arts and bestowed the 2022 Darrel Tillar Mason awards Joan Lipstock, of Dreamers Theater in Richmond, and Monroe. The two were recognized at the dLCV Midsummer Night's Gala, at the The Cultural Arts Center in Glen Allen, Va.

Bill Fitzgerald, evening news anchor for WTVR in Richmond, and one of two emcees for the evening, described Monroe and Lipstock as "beacons of hope for people with disabilities," in their respective communities, before Darrel Tillar Mason herself presented the awards.

"I am humbled and grateful of the recognition bestowed upon me this evening by Kelly Nelson, Brigid O'Leary, and the Disability Law Center of Virginia. I am also encouraged by this commitment to recognize the extraordinary efforts of non-profit organizations and individuals who connect the disability community with theatre and creative arts opportunities," Monroe said during her acceptance speech. "This honor also energizes STEP VA's commitment to enable people with disabilities to develop their full potential through creative expression. Through the arts, ALL people can be heard regardless of perceived barriers."

Jan Monroe earned her B.A. in Communication Disorders from Radford University. She earned her M. S. Ed. in Speech-Language Pathology from Old Dominion University.

Jan has over 25 years of direct care experience, working with children and adults. She has served in long term care, inpatient, outpatient, home health, and acute care settings in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Hawaii. Currently she is exclusively a pediatric therapist employed by Children ' s Hospital of Richmond at VCUFredericksburg Therapy Center. Jan has prior experience serving as a board member for Center for Children La Plata, MD and Parent Advocates for Challenged Children of Charles County, Inc. (P.A.C.C.) White Plains, MD. While residing in Hawaii, she served a term as President of the Hawaii Speech and Hearing Association (HASHA). Jan is thrilled to be a part of STEP VA, Inc. She resides in Fredericksburg with her husband Mike and their 3 children. Jan enjoys traveling, yoga, networking opportunities, and socializing with her family, and friends.

Brigid O’Leary is a STEP VA parent & advocate

STEP VA provides sensory-b based theater and arts programs for individuals with disabilities. Its vision is to transform the world by offering each individual the opportunity to flourish in the community. For more info about STEPVA or to donate, visit www.stepva.org.