The Hattie Brown Award is presented each year by the Fourth of July Committee to a worthy Bristolian who demonstrates the
same spirit of community service that was so much the distinguishable trait of Hattie Brown. Hattie was involved with many
organizations and charities throughout the State during her life. She was an active member of the Bristol Fourth of July
Committee. Hattie was well known for her charitable activities and her spirit of ecumenism. Regardless of whether it was
a church, synagogue, youth organization or fraternal order, she could always be depended on for her support. The presentation
of this award is to recognize her contribution to the many people and organizations that benefited from her commitment to
humankind.
The Hattie Brown Award recipient for the 225th Fourth of July Celebration is Elizabeth (Betty) G. Brito.
This year’s recipient is a long time resident of
Bristol
who is also very active in community service. A retired educator of the
Bristol Warren Regional Schools, she has given her time and efforts to
make Bristol and Rhode
Island a great place to live.
Elizabeth (Betty) G. Brito, was educated
at Wittenberg University,
Springfield,
Ohio with a BA in English in 1970.
Betty also took Graduate Coursework at Rhode
Island College,
and received a Master of Education Degree from
Cambridge
College, Cambridge, MA
in 1994. She also participated in The RI Council on Economic Education
Coursework in Consumer Economics in 1989.
From 1970 – 1993 Betty was an English
Teacher for the Bristol Public Schools. During this period of time she
was a coordinator or chairperson of many studies and committees
involving betterment and advancement of the Bristol Public Schools.
In 1993 Betty was promoted to the position of
Chairperson of the Mt. Hope High School English Department of the
Bristol Warren Regional Schools a position she held until 1998.
Betty has been the recipient of The Rhode
Island 85 by the Junior League of Rhode Island in March 2007, as one of
85 women throughout the state for commitment to the community that
exemplifies the spirit, dedication and values of the Junior League of
Rhode Island. Betty was the recipient of the Christa McAuliffe
fellowship, 1990, awarded annually through 2001 by the U.S. Office of
Education to one fellow in each of the fifty states.
Betty was the Recipient of the Champlins Foundation
Grant, 1989, for the establishment of a computer-assisted writing lab in
the English Department of
Bristol
High School.
She was awarded with the
National Education A+ Award for Excellence in Education awarded to the
Bristol Education Association of the Thinking/Learning/Study Skills
Program at Bristol High School.
In 1977, the Bristol High School yearbook was dedicated to
her.
Betty has authored the “Getting More out of School”
monthly column in the Bristol Phoenix directed at parents and students
and focusing on maximizing learning from 1987 – 1991. She also authored
a faculty guide, for facilitating the instruction of student research in
all content areas entitled “Research Process Packet” in 1989. She was
the Co-Author and Publisher, “Making: the Learning Connection”, a guide
for Parents of Middle and High School Students, 1989.
Betty Brito has been a very busy woman
with community service so numerous that it is hard to list her many
efforts. Her current community involvements are as follows:
Linden Place Bicentennial Jubilee 2010, Along with her
husband Joe, they are currently chairing the event to celebrate the 200th
birthday of the mansion to take place June 11, 2010.
Rogers Free Library (1990 to present)
serving as President of the Trustees and as Chair of Directors of the
Friends of Rogers Free Library, the 501 c3 arm of the library. In
2007-2008 she chaired the Capital Campaign for the construction and
renovation of the library.
Betty served as a Trustee of the Mt. Hope
Farm from 1999 until March 2008 and as Secretary of the Trust from 2000
until 2008. As Secretary of the Trust, she sat as an ex-officio member
of the Board of Governors, a second governance board of the trust.
She has served St. James Lutheran Church,
Barrington,
RI as President of the Church
Council and Chair of the Worship and Music Committee. Currently she is
an Assisting Minister, a Worship Leader, Cantor, a member of the Senior
Choir all this and she handles the scheduling of Worship Leaders and
Worship Assistants.
With the Junior League of Rhode Island,
she has served from 1974 to present. She has served as Community
Vice-President (1985-1986), the Board of Directors (1984-1986) Chair of
Future Planning (1981-1982) and as a Trainer from 1974-1984. She is a
Sustainer in the league.
I have provided you with a lot of
information concerning this marvelous woman, but, I would be remiss in
not mentioning the wonderful things that Betty and her husband Joe
discreetly do for people who are need and in despair. The name Brito is
not a secret with the July 4th Committee. Uncle Matt,
Grandfather Caesar, and Father-in-Law Joe Brito, Sr. have all served as
past Chief Marshals of the Celebration.
Now, we recognize Elizabeth (Betty) G. Brito for over 40 years of
volunteer efforts to the Town of Bristol
and the State of Rhode Island.
At this time it gives me great pleasure to introduce the 2010 Hattie
Brown Award recipient – Mrs. Betty Brito.
Congratulations to Mrs. Elizabeth
(Betty) G. Brito. On behalf of the Bristol Fourth of July Committee and our Community, thank you
for your many years of service and commitment.
