Eckerd 100 Salute to Women


Rose VanSickle, author of Peace of Body, Peace of Mind was recently honored for her volunteer work with Recovery, Inc., Self-help Mental Health.
Selected as one of the 100 recipients of the Eckerd 100 Salute To Women, a prestigious honor roll of outstanding women volunteers from around the country, Recovery, International received a $1000.00 grant in VanSickle's name and Rose traveled to St. Petersburg, FL for a symposium which celebrated the women's extraordinary commitment and significant contributions. During the fourth annual 2001 Salute to Women program, the 2,600 nationwide Eckerd and Genovese drug stores accepted nominations. Each drugstore chose one ballot based on time contributed plus the nature and value of the community project. From those 2,600 local honorees, 100 most outstanding women were selected by an independent judging organization and named to this year's Eckerd 100.
Jo Smith of Raleigh, NC, who submitted the nomination, had this to say: "I nominate Rose VanSickle, a woman who has been right there for her community. For more than 18 years she has been teaching people with stress, anxiety, depression, fears, phobias and anger how to regain control of their lives. Once a victim of panic attacks and clinical depression, she has an uncanny ability to relate to individuals of all ages.
Rose established the first Recovery, International self-help group in Raleigh and helped launch groups in Winston-Salem and Southern Pines. She has served on the Board of Directors, was the Area Leader for NC, SC and GA, held various positions at the national level, and is Past-President of the international organization. Passionate, vibrant and articulate, there is no trace of the woman she used to be who was afraid to leave her home. Choosing to disclose her past, she is a ray of hope and healing. Rose makes a positive difference! In addition to her volunteer efforts with Recovery, International, Rose served on the Board of Directors of the Community Mental Health Clinic in Raleigh, NC, and has helped with various functions of the Wake County, NC affiliate of NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness - including the Mental Illness Awareness Week candlelight service and the Walk for Hope.