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2025 Alice Paul Awards Celebration
March 20 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Connecticut’s Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz will be among the distinguished guests attending the third annual Alice Paul Legacy Awards event to be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, 7:30 pm, at the historic Garden House at Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center. Purchase tickets here.
Established in 2023 to honor the legacy of suffragist Alice Paul, the awards honor contemporary and historical Ridgefield women whose actions and advocacy make an impact upon social equity and justice, democracy and women’s issues. The awards are named for women’s rights activist Alice Paul, a 40-year resident of Ridgefield.
Paul was a leader of the campaign for the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits sex discrimination in the right to vote, and the author of the Equal Rights Amendment, which, though ratified by the requisite number of states, has yet to be published in the Constitution.
The Award’s purpose is to elevate the achievements and contributions of women by celebrating their work and legacies, telling their stories and inspiring women and girls to embrace the limitless impact they can have in the world. This year’s honorees were chosen for their tireless leadership in Ridgefield and beyond, and thus providing powerful examples for young women to participate in community betterment.
This year’s awards honorees are Peggy Marconi, Betsy Thompson and Susan D. Cocco. (click to read more)
Contemporary Award Honoree: Peggy Marconi
In her 40 years as a Ridgefield resident, Peggy Marconi has held leadership positions in numerous local organizations, including Chairperson and Founder of the beloved Ridgefield Holiday Stroll, Chairperson for the Women’s Center of Danbury (now the Center for Empowerment and Education), and Chairperson for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Peggy has served as a valued Board member of RVNA, Ann’s Place and ACT-A Contemporary Theater. As Ridgefield’s first lady, wife of 25-year First Selectperson Rudy Marconi, Peggy’s continued involvement in Ridgefield demonstrates her commitment to female leadership and inspires young women to contribute to the improvement of our community.
Contemporary Award Honoree: Betsy Thompson
Betsy Thompson’s 27 years in Ridgefield are distinguished by her tireless advocacy for democratic causes and candidates. An active volunteer for Ridgefield’s DTC and Ridgefield League of Women Voters, Betsy has been instrumental in community outreach and Democratic fundraising. Betsy is the perennial host for Ridgefield DTC’s annual Pie & Politics event, which consistently attracts state and local legislators. Betsy has worked directly with local, state and national Democratic campaigns, including running Barack Obama’s 2008 headquarters in Ridgefield. Betsy has served as a Ridgefield Justice of the Peace since the year same sex marriage was legalized and owns a successful business in Ridgefield.
Legacy Award Honoree: Susan D. Cocco
Susan Cocco, known as a staunch advocate for civil rights and political activism, who recruited and inspired countless women and Democrats to run for office, passed away unexpectedly in July 2024. During the 16 years she served as Chair of the Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee, she helped usher in a new generation of Democratic leadership in Ridgefield and the State of Connecticut. Susan was active beyond Ridgefield as a Founding Board Member of Ella’s List, Board Member of The Campaign School at Yale, an active fundraiser and member of EMILY’s List, NARAL, and Planned Parenthood. She advised and supported candidates for office across Connecticut including Denise Nappier, Nancy Wyman, Susan Bysiewicz, Jim Himes, Dan Malloy, Ned Lamont, and many others. Among her many accolades, she was most proud of her time as Chair of Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign for President in Connecticut. As an active member of the Connecticut State Democrats, she was a recipient of the Ella Grasso Award in 2018. Susan’s passion for politics was rooted in her love for her family, her town and her country. Through her activism, she has left a legacy for women leaders for decades to come.
Tickets are $70 per person, and students are free.