Enright receives Michigan Women's Foundation award

A former Grand Valley staff member was honored by the Michigan Women's Foundation for her dedication and commitment to improving the lives of women and girls.

Jean Enright, retired executive assistant, was among the honorees receiving the MWF’s Women of Achievement and Courage awards. Two ceremonies were held: on May 8 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and May 1 at the Diamond Center in Novi.

Enright said she’s been involved in the MWF for nearly two decades, including helping with the foundation’s recent capital campaign. “I always felt passionate about the work of the foundation because it’s one of the few in the country that exclusively supports programs for women and girls,” she said.

The nominating committee cited Enright’s efforts as a “trailblazer during the time when the presence of women in administrative education was relatively scarce.” She served as an associate superintendent for Grand Rapids Public Schools in the late ’70s, then joined Grand Valley to work as executive assistant to the president in 1987. Enright retired from Grand Valley in 2004.

She is a board member of the West Shore Symphony in Muskegon and is also active with Planned Parenthood, Inner City Christian Federation, Habitat for Humanity and other organizations. In 2000, Enright received a YWCA Tribute award for dedication to community.

“I’ve enjoyed having the flexibility to work on committees and special projects, which I might not have been able to do when I was working,” she said, noting that she started playing bridge again, after taking a community class at Ottawa Hills High School.