Pennsylvania Bar Association Presents Inaugural Verdina Y. Showell Award in Conjunction with "Wills for Heroes"
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
- Organization: Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Source: Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Bar Association, in conjunction with the Wills for Heroes organization, recently presented the first annual Verdina Y. Showell Award to Verdina’s oldest daughter, Dr. Nakiya Showell, in honor of her mother’s spirit, caring nature and determination to provide pro bono services, as well as her commitment to the Wills for Heroes program in Pennsylvania.
This award will be an annual award presented by the PBA Young Lawyer Division to recognize outstanding community service and the commitment to protecting those who protect us through active voluntary support of the "Wills for Heroes" program.
Verdina Showell (1959-2008) passed away on Dec. 24, 2008. During her legal career, Verdina placed a high priority on an active pro bono practice.
She worked with numerous organizations, including Philadelphia VIP (Volunteers for the Indigent Program), Voter Election Protection in the Greater Harrisburg Area, Homeless Advocacy Project and Wills for Heroes.
She was a recipient of the Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) citation in recognition of her service as a coordinator in HAP’s Philadelphia Adopt-a-Shelter Program.
In 2008, Verdina was selected as Exelon’s East Pro Bono Coordinator. In June 2008, Verdina coordinated with the law firm of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll L.L.P. to conduct Pennsylvania’s first Wills for Heroes legal clinic at Exelon’s Limerick Nuclear Generating Station.
Thirty-nine first responders received free legal services that Saturday in an event driven by Verdina’s passion to say “thank you” and express appreciation to the men and women that protect our freedom and safety everyday.
