Sparkplug Award, 2006 Recipient: Tiffany Bluemle

Tiffany Bluemle, executive director of Vermont Works for Women in Essex Junction, has been named the first winner of the Frank Hatch Award for Enlightened Public Service by The John Merck Fund. Ms. Bluemle received the award at a June 6 ceremony in Boston to honor Mr. Hatch, who retired after nineteen years as the foundation’s chairman.

Ms. Bluemle plans to apply the award to research and advocacy related to the Vermont Works for Women’s programs with incarcerated women. “This award gives us an unusual opportunity to reflect and build on our work in strategic and creative ways, an unthinkable luxury for most nonprofits,” she said.