We are proud to announce that our Executive Director, Ann McCully, was a co-winner of this year’s Nancy Latimer Award! The other winner was also from our system – Dianne Haulcy from Think Small.

Here are Ann’s remarks from the award presentation:

I want to thank the Early Childhood Funders for this award. I am both thrilled and humbled.

When I first met Nancy Latimer, I admit I was intimidated. I was brand new in my job and Nancy was so knowledgeable, Plus, she had a reputation for asking good, but tough questions. I was terrified when she called to discuss my first funding proposal and then something amazing happened. Nancy said, “are you sure you are asking for enough money?”

I try to bring her qualities to my work every day, including servant leadership, persistence, and a strong belief in the use of public policy to create change.

Today we stand at the intersection of so many unknowns. So how do we move forward? Reflecting on those early experiences with Nancy gave me a few possible answers:

1. We all need to ask the tough questions. Particularly when it comes to equity issues — both for those who work in the field and those who depend on it. I want to thank my many colleagues who make sure that we don’t lose sight of what is right.
2. We need to ask for what we need. This is a field that has been underfunded and undervalued for far too long. I want to thank the early educators who do this work so selflessly and deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.
3. We need to believe in each other and support each other because this work is hard and change is slow. I want to thank the staff and leadership of the Child Care Aware system for their belief in the importance of relationships.
4. We need to be persistent. I want to thank my collaboration partners and the CARE Fellows who have grown into a network of advocates who are not afraid to flex their public policy muscles.
5. Finally, we need to remember why we do this work, even when we are weary. I want to thank my family for their constant support and my granddaughter Aria who just turned 2 and reminds me that she and thousands of other children and families are depending on us to build a better path forward for the future.

Once again, my heartfelt thanks for this wonderful honor today.