Thelma Grady:
A Person of Many Accomplishments

	2005 Liberty Bell Award Recipient
	2003 Named Public Housing Hero
	2002 Striving Toward Excellent Award

 

Thelma Grady receives the 2005 Liberty Bell Award

Thelma Grady, Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) board member and lay vice-president, received the 2005 Liberty Bell Award from the Erie County Bar Association. She was presented the honor as part of the Law Day luncheon on Friday, April 28 at the Erie Shrine Club.

The Liberty Bell Award is given annually by the Erie County Bar Association to a non-attorney who has “strengthened the American system of freedom under the law.” Grady was honored for her many years of community service to the Erie region, and her leadership role in legal services on a local, state and national level.

NWLS executive director Robert A. Oakley, Esq., delivered the introductory remarks at the Law Day event that honored Grady’s many contributions to the Erie community. She was instrumental in creating local programs such as Crime Watch, the Erie Tenant’s Council, the Welfare Rights Organization, and the Clients’ Council of Erie County. Grady was also involved in Project Vote, an initiative that enabled voter registration materials to be distributed at county assistance offices, and she has been active in the local chapter of the NAACP.

Grady was also honored for her many years of service to NWLS as a board member, along with her work on behalf of legal aid with the Clients’ Council of Pennsylvania and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.

Jack Ford, Court TV news anchor and former legal correspondent for ABC and NBC News, was the keynote speaker at the event. 

Thelma Grady, honored for her work and dedication to the community!  

Thelma Grady was recognized as a public housing hero by the Erie Housing Authority for her commitment and dedication to the low-income community.

 Thelma has been an active supporter and board member of  NWLS, past  president of the Clients Council of Pennsylvania, Clients Council of Erie County, and Erie Tenants Council. She has been a mainstay of public support of free legal services for low-income people throughout the state.  
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Congratulation, Thelma! 

Pennsylvania Legal Services (PLS) recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to legal services with the "Striving Toward Excellence" Awards.  Thelma Grady, was recognized as a recipient in March, 2002.  Thelma has been a long standing  Northwestern Legal Services' Board Member and a powerful advocate for the legal needs of low-income clients in her own community and across the nation.

For over 25 years she has worked in a leadership role on the local, state and national level to ensure that clients have received civil legal services, and has molded this commitment into positive accomplishments on behalf of low-income individuals and their families. Thelma continues to serve on the NWLS board of directors, and she remains a strong voice on behalf of our mission.