Judge Nancy Butts named Wise Woman of the Year

On November 6, 2014, the YWCA recognized the 2014 class of Women of Excellence. Lycoming County President Judge Nancy Butts was named Wise Woman of the Year.

Butts was nominated by Shea Madden, of West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission, and Andree Phillips, of the Community Theatre League, who credited the judge with implementing positive change in the community, including founding the Lycoming County Drug Court program and the Mental Health Court program.

Judge Butts accepted the award graciously, saying "when you do your job and you try to be the best person you can be, hoping to just do your best, you don't expect the community to embrace you," Butts said. "My friends will tell you I don't like hugs, but tonight it feels like the community is hugging me, and I gladly accept it."

"I try to live my life remembering that it's not so much what I do here today, it's about what I can do for the future, for my community," she said.

The Wise Woman of the Year award honors a woman who, by her compassion and leadership, strengthens communities and creates opportunity for others.