By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
A Lawrenceville School alumna and distinguished journalist was honored by Womanspace for her contributions in increasing awareness about child abuse and work for abused and foster children.
The 18th annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award was bestowed upon Dr. Stacey Patton on May 9 at a dinner with more than 300 people in attendance at the Westin in Plainsboro.
”(Ms. Patten’s) own personal story of abuse within her adoptive home and overcoming the devastating experiences of her childhood as recounted in her book ‘That Mean Old Yesterday’ are an inspirational story that has influenced social service professionals to reconsider their practices. Her personal experiences and her achievements are demonstrative of the need for Womanspace new program for children who are the silent victims of domestic abuse,” said Ingrid Reed, event co-chair.
”Each year, Womanspace selects a woman who exemplifies the ideals and the commitment of Barbara Sigmund as both a founder of Womanspace and taking the pioneering initiative to create a safe space and relevant services for individuals mostly women and their children who are victims of domestic abuse, and her leadership in working for the empowerment of women and their equality of opportunity,” added Ms. Reed.
Ms. Patton was born in Montclair, spent the first five years of her childhood in foster care before being placed with abusive adoptive parents in Trenton. A runaway at age 12, she spent the next few years shuttled between foster homes and youth shelters before winning a full scholarship to the Lawrenceville School. She then graduated from college with honors and received her doctorate last year.
The Lawrence-based organization will use proceeds from the event help to fund the programs and services to provide support for domestic and sexual violence victims and their families. Last year the organization served just under 11,000 adults and children with an operating budget of $2.8 million.
Before she was 30, Ms. Patten authored her first book about the New Jersey foster care system called “That Mean Old Yesterday,” a memoir about her childhood foster care experiences.

