PennAEYC 2016 VOICE for Children Award Dinner 

The VOICE for Children celebration will feature a reception, dinner and a presentation of the 2016 VOICE for Children Award, Distinguished Career Award and Vision Award.

The VOICE Award is the only statewide award in Pennsylvania recognizing the grassroots leaders whose work impacts the quality of care for young children in diverse settings. Now in its sixth year, the VOICE Award celebrates not only individual award recipients, but the early childhood profession.

The 2016 VOICE for Children Award will be presented to Sharon Easterling, Executive Director of the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children. Sharon's dedication and leadership has guided DVAEYC for over 20 years and she has led the association as a respected leader of quality initiatives and professional development in Pennsylvania. Sharon is a respected grassroots advocate in Pennsylvania and has led many advocacy efforts that support Pennsylvania's youngest citizens and early care educators.

The 2016 Distinguished Career Award will be presented to Marge Petruska. Recently retired, Marge served as the Senior Director of the Children, Youth & Families Program for the Heinz Endowments for many years. Marge has led the charge to improve the lives of parents, children and youth by building a statewide early learning system that prepares children for kindergarten and future school success through a variety of initiatives in Pittsburgh and across the State. 

The 2016 Vision Award will be presented to Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr., Pennsylvania's senior senator and a nationally recognized advocate for children. During his service in the Senate, Senator Casey has introduced and championed landmark legislation aimed at increasing access to early childhood education, children's health insurance and strengthening connections between early education and K-12 systems. 

For full biographies on this year's winners, visit www.pennaeyc.org.