Cville-Area Women Recognized as Heroes

Charlottesville—we have several recognized heroes among us! The personal injury law firm Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen recently announced the 100 HOMETOWN HEROES awards in celebration of the firm’s centennial anniversary, according to the company.

“It’s time to celebrate,” said Douglas A. Barry, president. “In honor of Allen & Allen’s 100-year anniversary, we are thanking the people who make up the communities we serve and recognizing the everyday heroes who make Virginia a great place to live.”

The following ladies were named heroes by the law firm, which has an office in Charlottesville. They will be honored tonight at Fridays After Five and other events. Included is a brief bio from the firm on these wonderful women we’re luck to call neighbors.

•  Joyce Robbins, Charlottesville, owner of Robbins Staffing Company: Joyce, a leader in the local business community, is known for her loyalty, integrity, and the knowledge she possesses of her industry. As a successful CEO, she coaches and mentors others while finding time to assist with more than a dozen nonprofit organizations. Her peers report that Joyce “seeks opportunities to support her community, whether its leadership, monetary donations or hands-on projects.” 

•  Melba Atkinson, Earlysville: Melba spends her free time training dogs to become service companions for people with special health needs—such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), paralysis and diabetes. Melba begins by working with the dogs as puppies, socializes them, and eventually trains them to meet the needs of specific individuals.

•  Patsy Dickinson, Charlottesville: As the foster mother of more than 10 at-risk youth, Patsy has opened her home and created a stable environment for children who have been removed from their own families. Patsy’s fellow community members know her as a dedicated and concerned citizen who has impacted the lives of many children and adults alike.   

•  Mary T. Miller, Charlottesville: Mary, a dedicated volunteer, has assisted with Region Ten Community Services, Charlottesville Parks & Recreation, Charlottesville Albemarle VSA arts, Blue Ridge Clubhouse, and other programs that increase community inclusion for people with disabilities. Mary has been instrumental in creating opportunities for artistic expression as evidenced by her ongoing work with a poetry book series published by writers with disabilities.   

•  Nicole Muller, Charlottesville: This exceptional 16-year-old is the founder of Neighbors-4-Neighbors, a national food drive that in less than six months collected more than 25,000 pounds of food and $2,300 from 30 participating states. She has raised awareness of the issue of hunger and has shattered records for food collected by an individual campaigner in Virginia. Thus far Nicole’s efforts have fed more than 22,000 hungry “neighbors.”

•  Kathy Owen, Charlottesville: Kathy, an inspiring leader with vision impairment, is known throughout her community for always helping others in need. Currently Kathy serves as the president of the Federation of the Blind. She has ministered in nursing homes and hospitals and has entertained thousands while playing music with her husband.

•  Barbara Rea, Charlottesville: **CHARLOTTESVILLE ALL-STAR HERO** Barbara, an inspiring senior citizen, has never met a volunteer opportunity that she didn’t like. For more than 30 years she has inspired the Charlottesville-Albemarle community with her singing and storytelling. She visits local nursing homes and assisted-living facilities on a weekly basis to play music and to share her message of love, and she assists with numerous City of Charlottesville events for youth and adults.

•  Mildred Spicer, Charlottesville: A dedicated lifelong Charlottesville resident, Mildred is responsible for creating trendsetting therapeutic recreation opportunities for seniors and residents with mental illness, as well as people with and without disabilities. Her emphasis on community inclusion started more than 30 years ago, and she is credited as the driving force behind recreational, social, and artistic expression in Charlottesville. Those whom she has helped report, “Her love and encouragement has inspired us to go beyond our comfort zone and accomplish many things, and that has built self-esteem and self-worth in so many lives.”

•  Constance Wyant, Charlottesville: As head supervisor for the Post High Special Education Program, Constance has helped hundreds of youth from public schools transition to jobs and into the community. Her peers report that “day after day she provides love and guidance to the students she serves.” When not working, she volunteers as a mentor to youth, helping students on a one-on-one basis to achieve their goals.

•  Janie Norris, Lovingston: Janie, a volunteer for an array of organizations throughout Charlottesville, is the founder of A League of Our Own Softball Program for teens and adults with disabilities. For more than 10 years she has supervised a host of volunteers and 50 players each week, giving athletes with disabilities an opportunity to play softball as part of a team.

Nominations for the 100 HOMETOWN HEROES award were accepted from April 19 to May 7. The public was asked to complete a nomination form in honor of their favorite local hero. “We wanted to hear directly from the community what defines a hero. As a result, we received a tremendous outpouring of nominations representing people who have made a difference in a variety of ways throughout Virginia,” said Courtney Allen Van Winkle, partner.

The winning 100 HOMETOWN HEROES will be honored at a series of award events taking place in Richmond, Fredericksburg and Charlottesville. Tonight, heroes from our area will be honored at Fridays After Five at the Charlottesville Pavilion. Barbara Rea, our All-Star Hero, will get to throw the first pitch at the July 27 Flying Squirrels baseball game. A grand finale will be held on Aug. 25 at a Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball game, at which time all 100 HOMETOWN HEROES will be recognized. The evening will conclude with fireworks in our heroes’ honor.

“Our firm was founded on service. The past 100 years are a result of the motivation we receive from those in the community, the real heroes,” said R. Clayton Allen, partner. “We’ve witnessed firsthand the everyday heroism found throughout Virginia and we invite the community to say thank you to our hometown heroes with us.”

Charlottesville Woman wants to congratulate all our Hometown Heroes.