The Women & Girls Fund honors Sara Jane Davidson with the 2011 Women & Girls Fund Award Sara Jane Davidson arrived on the Mid-Shore in 1958, eager to start her career as a physical education teacher.  It wasn't long, however, before her presence was felt far beyond her classroom, gym, and athletic fields, as she began a lifetime of finding ways to help her neighbors and community.

Teacher, mentor, counselor, sounding board, advisor, community activist, and tireless worker: for more than a half-century, Sara Jane has filled all of those roles, regularly matching those with needs with people who have just the right skills and services.  Because she taught at Centreville, Queen Anne's County and Sudlersville high schools, Grasonville elementary and Gunston School (now The Gunston Day School), it's hard to find locals of any age whom she doesn't know, or women and girls whom she hasn't helped in some way, if only to let them know that she cares about their well-being. 

Alice Ryan, the founder of The Women & Girls Fund, met Sara Jane when Alice was a high school student and Sara Jane was her P.E. teacher at Gunston, and Alice says she treasures the friendship they've nurtured over the years.

It's impossible, Alice says, to spend time with Sara Jane without running into someone she's helped.  "At every visit to a non-profit program the Women & Girls Fund has made, there's someone who says, 'Hi, Mrs. Davidson, how are you?' and it turns out to be someone she helped when they were in hard times.  She's always cared about everybody." 

An Ohio native, Sara Jane Davidson graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University) and accepted her first physical education teaching job at Centreville High School.  She met Dick Davidson, married in 1960, and had two children.  Sara Jane and Dick also have four grandchildren.

Sara Jane taught physical education in Queen Anne's County's public and private schools for 35 years, and, after receiving her master's degree in guidance and counseling, also served as a guidance counselor.  She taught swimming and coached field hockey, basketball, softball and tennis, and managed to find time along the way to serve on the Queen Anne's Parks and Recreation Board, the Library Board and Centreville's Zoning Board.  For 11 years, she was a Centreville Town Commissioner, resigning only after she and Dick moved to Caroline County.  Sara Jane is also a former member of The Women & Girls Fund Board of directors.

Currently, Sara Jane serves on the boards of Wye River Upper School and the Caroline Nursing Home, and she's an active Talbot County CASA, a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children who are under the jurisdiction of the county courts.

"I learned from my mom to always treat people with respect, no matter what color, creed, nationality, religion, culture, sex, or how ugly they may act," Sara Jane's daughter, Linda Barton, said.  "In other words, she taught us to be nice, and to practice random acts of kindness."

With great pleasure, The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore is proud to name Sara Jane Davidson the recipient of the 2011 Women & Girls Fund Award.

Dr. Maria Boria, who lives in Chestertown, came to the Eastern Shore over two decades ago and has been quietly and tirelessly working on behalf of low-income women ever since.   A gynecologist by training, she founded the first hospital for women in India and has played a key role in providing health care services to low-income women in clinics throughout the United States.

Currently Dr. Boria provides medical care for migrant workers at the Marydel Clinic and for low-income women at the Rock Hall Free Clinic.   She charges no fees for her services at these Kent County clinics, which are run entirely with private contributions.  Dr. Boria helps to defray the cost of medications for her patients, most of whom have no insurance coverage, by convincing other physicians to contribute samples from pharmaceutical companies to the clinics.   Many have noted that it is difficult to say “no” to Maria Boria.   Her quiet dedication is compelling and her results are persuasive.

Chestertown’s Carla Massoni, who nominated Dr. Boria for the award, puts it this way: “She demonstrates the kind of compassion that produces results.  If there is a need, she fills it.   If she possesses the skills and abilities that make it possible to relieve the suffering of another, then she takes action.   She inspires others by the simplicity of her approach.   Her humanity astounds me.”

For over twenty years, Sandra Wellford King has been the director and leading light of Talbot Special Riders, a therapeutic riding program.  Her leadership and dedication have strongly contributed to the success of the program, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.   Because of Mrs. King’s energy, enthusiasm and plain hard work, Talbot Special Riders grew each year, ultimately gaining certification from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.   For ten weeks each spring and fall, every Tuesday and Thursday morning, she is on the scene helping the riders gain physical strength, poise and self-confidence while mastering new tasks and skills on horseback.   With her passion for horses and compassion for others, Sandra Wellford King brings achievement and joy into the lives of riders and volunteers alike.

Mrs. Harriet Critchlow of Talbot County, affectionately and appropriately known as “Happy,” has devoted her life to meeting the needs of women and girls in the Mid-Shore region.  Over thirty years ago, Mrs. Critchlow recognized the need of working women to have access to safe and affordable day care.  With her friend, Janice Adkins, she co-founded the Easton Day Care Center in 1970.  From that day until today, Mrs. Critchlow has nurtured the growth and development of the Easton Day Care Center in every way imaginable.

Today, the Center serves almost four hundred children at five locations in Talbot County.  Since its inception, Happy has served as the Board’s President and Treasurer, found teachers and directors, worked with children, and tirelessly raised money for the Center.  Her generous leadership has benefited two generations of Talbot County children and allowed countless women to work or to advance their educations.

Mrs. Critchlow’s vision, dedication, leadership and generous gifts of time and financial support throughout her life have created a legacy that has enhanced the lives of so many women and girls.  She is truly an inspiration to all of us.