Newsroom

Font Size:

+ 0 –

Conte Receives Marine Corps Leadership Award

4/26/2005

First Lady Andrea Conte received the 3rd Annual Marine Corps Leadership Award for the State of Tennessee on Monday in honor of her efforts to improve the quality of life of Tennesseans through her work in the areas of child abuse and victims' rights.

"I'm honored to have been recognized by Tennessee's Marines in this way," said Conte. "It's just overwhelming. The Marines are so strong and confident, and so giving in all that they do. For them to recognize me in this way, it's truly humbling."

The Marine Corps Leadership Award is presented annually to the Tennessean whose leadership in the community, professional achievements and personal standards embody the Marine Corps' own core values of honor, courage and commitment. Tennessee Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher was the inaugural recipient of the award in 2003, followed by Charles Davis in 2004.

"Mrs. Conte conducts herself with honor at all times, setting an example for those around her," said Major Steven Wolf, Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Recruiting Station Nashville. "We respect and applaud her leadership and contributions to the community."

The award ceremony was held at the Nashville Child Advocacy Center, one of 26 nonprofit Child Advocacy Centers Conte raised funds for through her 600-mile walk across the state, "Andrea Walks for Tennessee's Children." In addition to "AndreaWalks," Conte supports Child Advocacy Centers across the nation through her position as co-chair of the First Families Council, a national effort to promote child advocacy centers.

Conte is also a long time victims' advocate. She founded and is president of You Have the Power.Know How to Use It, a nonprofit organization that provides public programs and information about preventable crimes such as domestic violence, elder abuse and child sexual abuse to organizations across the nation.

Photo Cutline: Major Steven M. Wolf, Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Recruiting Station Nashville, presents First Lady of Tennessee Andrea Conte with the 3rd Annual Marine Corps Leadership Award at a ceremony on April 25 in Nashville. Conte received the award in honor of her work to promote victims' rights and to raise statewide awareness about child abuse.