Jane Dovidio-Gagliardo

Jane Dovidio-Gagliardo
AKA:
Slogan:
Queenager advisory board council member

Jane Dovidio-Gagliardo was born on April 6, 1953 in Warren, Ohio where she grew up in a large Italian family.  Jane, an avid believer in human rights, marched for civil rights, women’s right to choose and the right to be heard.  This is where she met her high-school sweetheart, John Gagliardo.  After marring John at the age of 17 and giving birth to their first son seven months later, Jane became a dedicated stay-at-home housewife and mother.  As the years went on and they were blessed with two more sons, Jane became completely committed to the growth and wellbeing of her family.  Becoming a class mom, member of the PTA and coordinator of her children’s school fund-raising events gave her life an added sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Jane also became an active member of the East Stroudsburg Youth Association Board of Directors, Commissioner of Cheerleading, Secretary for the Football Mother’s Association, and later President.  She also volunteered at St. Matthews Catholic Church with organizational fund- raising and educational programs.  Jane also helped to raise money for St. Jude’s Children Hospital by conducting Bike-A-Thons and bringing attention to the Small Business Association throughout her community for donations.  She was always interested in and participated, on some level, in local politics as well as community affairs.  Passionate about making sure the voices of people with disabilities was heard, Jane continue to be an active force toward this goal.  In the early 1980’s Jane was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, thus, giving her an even greater sense of importance to championing the rights of people with disabilities.

In 1987 Jane took a full-time position at a large local pharmaceutical company and in 1996 she was dismissed from her job.  The company claimed her being let go was due to her performance, but Jane knew it was because of her disability and took legal action against the company.  In 2002, advocating for herself, she had her day in a Federal courtroom.  Following a week-long trial a 12-person jury found in Jane’s favor and determined she, in fact, was terminated because of her disability.  The case of Gagliardo vs. Connaught Laboratories became a landmark case.  It changed the law under the Americans With Disability Act.  Her story of taking on a large international pharmaceutical company became big news.  Shortly, thereafter, she met Sherry Blackman, a journalist, who felt it essential to tell Jane’s story in a book they titled “Call To Witness,” written in collaboration with Jane, her attorney Patrick Reilly and Jane’s Children. The book was submitted for a Pulitzer Prize and has won numerous awards including The Pocono Image Award.  Jane has been invited to tell her story throughout the country.  “Call To Witness” has also received rave reviews on Amazon and several other book reviews.

Jane’s achievements and accolades are numerous, but the woman she is today cannot be measured by anything other than her genuineness and heartfelt commitment to achieving equal rights for all members of the human family.  She is the grandmother of six wonderful grandchildren who she enjoys spending time with and seeing life through their eyes.  Jane is currently working on several children’s books which she hopes to soon complete and publish.

Hillary Evans

Ms. Hillary Evans
A.K.A: Hillside
Slogan: Failure is not an option
Queenager advisory board council member

Hillary Evans is a wife, mother and grandmother who inspiringly serves as the matriarch of her family.  Before retiring in 2009 she worked as a valuable member of the J.P. Morgan Chase team of dedicated staff for 40 years.

After retiring, Hillary and her husband, Rick relocated from Brooklyn, New York to East Stroudsburg, Pa.  A high-spirited and energetic “seasoned” citizen/Queenager, not yet ready for the rocking chair and reminiscing on the past, she decided to keep active and be a supportive member of her new home town by serving as a child-care provider for working members of her North Slope community in East Stroudsburg, PA.  One of her famous phrases is “I’ll slow down, but I won’t stop!”  She vehemently believes that life… at every stage of human development, is to be lived fully.  And at this phase of her life she takes pleasure in discovering new things about herself, life and the possibilities that exist at this new stage in her growth process.

Mrs. Evans is a valued member of the Queenager Advisory Council for The Sistahship, LLC, an internet talk show that serves as a weekly resource and powerful movement that welcomes all women, irrespective of age, color, creed, culture or socio-economic status who are seeking inspiration, information, encouragement, support and a positive connection with other women.

Regardless of the challenges and change and of 2020, Hillary is committed to living the remainder of her life with passion-filled purpose and a self-filled acceptance and love that continues to energize her mind, body and life in positive and powerful ways.  A wholehearted champion of life and people, she believes we are all equal and must be treated as such if the human-race is to grow to new and empowering heights in its’ evolutionary process.

Unquestionably, Hillary is a true humanitarian and a glowing role-model for others to look to and gain much knowledge from.  This classy, sassy, savvy, vivacious and unstoppable woman is definitely one of the human family’s most treasured gifts.

Ms. Sherry Knight

Ms. Sherry Knight
AKA: Lady Wisdom
Slogan:
Queenager advisory board council member

Sherry Knight is the mother of three beautiful and dynamic college-educated young adults and the grandmother of four amazing grandchildren.  She has worked at H & R Block as an Office Manager and Tax Analyst for twenty-years.  Strongly committed to community activism and empowerment, Sherry also works for a non-profit organization for at-risk youth.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, engaging in great conversations, laughter and helping others whenever and wherever she is needed.  Sherry lives her “no-beat around the bush or game-playing” lifestyle on a strong spiritual foundation.  Her faith in GOD is unshakable and unbreakable and she gives thanks for the wisdom she has gained through her many years of challenges and victories that have and continues to give her the strength she needs to rise victorious no matter what the situation or occasion.  When she speaks, she says what she means and means what she says.  Her “no-nonsense” approach to life has made her a trusted and valued resource many have come to rely on.

As a member of the human family, who holds humanity in high esteem, Sherry is unabatedly committed to the enhancement of positive growth through the delivery of good information, greater access to available resources and the provision of services and connections that support and enhance the quality of life for those who are genuinely in search of how to live their “best lives.”  Her humanitarian effort makes her a jewel in the treasure chest of life when it comes to mentoring and providing guidance to others.  Dedicated, proud, determined, reliable and unique, in all the ways that matter, are just a few of the words that describes Sherry’s bold and bodacious demeanor.

Sherry Knight resides in the Pocono Mountains, PA where she enjoys both the increased access to nature and the peace that affords her the life she loves as she continues to grow into the masterpiece of womanhood she was designed, created and born into the world to both be and exhibit as an example of humanity working at its best.