Millennium Magazine_6th Ed

329 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine WRITER, SOCIAL WORKER (RETIRED) Philadelphia VA Medical Center Havertown, PA G rowing up in a family dedicated to social justice, Mary Patricia Garrahan-Masters knew she was born for a position in social work. Prior to her retirement, Ms. Garrahan-Masters worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia and Lebanon, Pennsylvania, as a medical social worker for five years. Additionally, from 1980 to 1984, she was a social services director at the Dowden Nursing Home and worked for Delta-T Group and Garrahan Equipment. Ms. Garrahan-Masters received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Villanova University in 1973 and a master’s degree in social sciences, law and social policy from Bryn Mawr College in 1983. Outside of social work, she was an educator at Delaware County Community College in 1984, director of admissions at St. Francis County House in 1981 and a geriatrics case worker at the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services from 1974 to 1979. Ms. Garrahan-Masters is a member of the International Hypnosis Hall of Fame Guild, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Associations, Society of Friends of Touro Synagogue, Disabled American Veterans, American Diabetes Association, Ladies of Mount Vernon and National Association of Social Workers. MARY PATRICIA GARRAHAN-MASTERS Millennium Magazine Featured Listee EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR People Interrupted Boulder, CO S ince 2014, Marjorie Claire Blizard has served as the founder and executive director of People Interrupted, a legacy project in honor of her late husband Robert E. Davidson, who was a renowned advocate for individuals with mental illness. People Interrupted strives to build public and political support for services, and funding for people with mental illnesses and other disabilities. The project’s ultimate goal is to address systemic issues and barriers faced by those struggling with mental illness. Ms. Blizard holds a BA from the University of Colorado. Alongside her advocacy for mental health reform, she has served as president of the board of trustees of the Otis Library and chairman of the Norwich Redevelopment Agency. Ms. Blizard also served on the Norwich Bulletin Editorial Board and the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Prior to her current position, Ms. Blizard was the owner of MCB Associates and general manager of Hillyer Realty. As the owner of Blizard Professional Cleaning in Franklin Connecticut from 1983 to 1996, she had her first introduction to individuals with disabilities, which prompted her passion for bettering the lives of those in need. MARJORIE CLAIRE BLIZARD SOCIAL SERVICES AND NONPROFIT