Emmie Glynn Ryan, center, of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens (CCBQ) received the Vincenza DeFazio Award for outstanding contributions to the work of the NYS Council of Catholic Charities Directors in Albany last month. Catholic Charities personnel were meeting to advocate on issues of concern to the poor and vulnerable.

A native of Ireland, Glynn Ryan worked in England and Romania, helping people with mental health issues and victims of domestic violence. She joined CCBQ in 1997 and now serves as general counsel, chief corporate compliance officer and senior vice president.

At the award reception, from left, are Father Patrick Keating, CCBQ vice president and deputy CEO; Laura Cassell, CEO of Catholic Charities of Rockville Centre and chair of the NYS Council of Catholic Charities Directors; Ryan; Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, and Richard E. Barnes, executive director, NYS Catholic Conference.

Also honored was Sister Mary McCarrick, O.S.F., retiring diocesan director of Catholic Charities of Buffalo.

(Photo: Fred Moody)