OLYMPIA, WA--(Marketwired - January 06, 2014) -
WHO:
Governor Jay Inslee and Dorothy Roth
WHAT:
Washington's Remarkable Seniors - Recognition Ceremony
WHERE:
Governor's Office - Conference Room
416 14
Olympia, WA 98504
WHEN:
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
*Opportunities for visuals include:
11:40 a.m. Reading of official proclamation by Gov. Inslee; remarks by Dorothy Roth
11:50 a.m. Photo op of Gov. Inslee and Dorothy Roth with baseball and baseball glove
11:55 a.m. Mrs. Roth pitches to Gov. Inslee
11:58 a.m. Photo op of Gov. Inslee, Dorothy Roth, her daughter, Holly Leach, Jeff Hyatt of WHCA and Ingrid McDonald of AARP
12:00 p.m. The governor and Mrs. Roth will share a short game of pitch and catch at the end of the ceremony
DETAILS:
Governor Jay Inslee, in association with the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) and AARP, is recognizing Dorothy Roth, 86, as the first recipient of the WHCA Silver Spotlight award for her outstanding contributions as an athlete and educator.
In 2014, the WHCA will honor the two members of the "Greatest Generation" each month with the launch of the Silver Spotlight awards, a program that recognizes the remarkable achievements from individuals whom now reside in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities throughout the state of Washington.
Governor Inslee, who has graciously agreed to present the inaugural award, had witnessed a video of Roth throwing out the first pitch at the Seattle Mariners game on Senior Day this past summer and was intrigued by her story.
Roth, who currently resides at Grandview Village -- an assisted living community in Marysville, Wash., played one (1945) season of professional baseball in The National Girls Baseball League (NGBL) for the Parichy Bloomer Girls in Forest Park, Ill.
The NGBL, a competitor to the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (made famous by the 1992 movie A League of Their Own), played its part in providing a level of entertainment and normalcy for residents in the central part of the United States during, and after, World War II. However, for some of the women who participated in the league, pride and honor weren't necessarily something they always felt. Dorothy Roth admits that at the time she was ashamed to play baseball as it was deemed "unladylike" by many observers, but times were hard. It wasn't until the movie was made years later that the women were truly recognized for their great contributions to the game of baseball and to society as a whole.
Mrs. Roth was fortunate enough to use the money she earned playing baseball to fund her college education and eventually became a teacher of 30 years after getting married and moving to the west coast.
About Washington Health Care Association (WHCA):
The Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) is a statewide non-profit organization representing over 400 assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. WHCA is the largest Long Term Care Trade Association in Washington representing a diverse well rounded membership base including not-for-profit and proprietary members. WHCA's mission is to promote quality long-term health care and services, while serving as an advocate for providers, staff, and the patients and residents they care for. Association members provide health and personal care, social support and housing to 25,000 frail, elderly and disabled Washingtonians each day. About 25,000 employees work for member facilities.
WHCA Contact:
Robin Dale
President and CEO
Washington Health Care Association
303 Cleveland Avenue SE, Suite 206
Tumwater, WA 98501
robindale@whca.org
253 | 576-6069 (cell)
Media Contact:
Lorne Richmond
CEO
Richmond Public Relations
lorne@richmondpr.com
206 | 682-6979 (office)
206 | 910-0531 (cell)
