Rosalyn Kempton Wood First to Receive GLFHC Award This Fall

John M. Silva, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center president and chief executive officer, announced the award.

Local philanthropist Rosalyn Kempton Wood will be the first recipient in October of a new award, which will be presented annually to women by Greater Lawrence Family Health Center to share the vision of female empowerment in the region.

Wood, who is known throughout the Merrimack Valley for inspirational leadership to women and women’s issues, will also become the namesake of the award. She has been instrumental in helping Greater Lawrence Family Health Center fulfill its mission to provide quality primary healthcare to almost 60,000 patients in Greater Lawrence, officials said.

“Rosalyn’s commitment to help others, specifically in the area of women’s issues, is inspirational. Her passion and compassion for those in need made her a wonderful choice to be the namesake of this new award from GLFHC,” said John M. Silva, GLFHC president and chief executive officer. “From breast cancer survivors to women’s health and wellness, the award will reflect Wood’s generosity to the community.”

The inaugural award will be presented to Wood on Oct. 15, at Greater Lawrence Family Health Center’s “In Pink” event, which benefits local women living with cancer. Wood is the widow of Cornelius A. Wood Jr., William Wood’s grandson. William owned the Washington and Wood Mill in Lawrence and the American Woolen Co. in Shawsheen Village, Andover and was a driving force in economic development in the region.

GLFHC is looking at sites in Haverhill for a future primary care health center.

For more information about the award or “In Pink” event, call Mary Lyman at (978) 722-2871 or email her at [email protected].