Fourth Ward Councilor Dr. Renee Baskerville is being honored as a 2009 recipient of the Winona M. Lipman award in the "Visionary" category by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ Division on Women.

The award is named for the late Senator Winona M. Lipman, the first African American woman elected to the New Jersey State Senate, and champion of women’s rights, minorities and children. The award recognizes outstanding New Jersey women and community organizations that have developed policies, services and programs that benefit women in New Jersey.

Councilor Baskerville will receive her award on March 19   in celebration of Women’s History Month in a ceremony at the Governor’s mansion, Drumthwacket, in Princeton, New Jersey.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to have been named a recipient of this award,” said Councilor Baskerville. “The late Senator Lipman was actually a close family friend from whom I learned a great deal about social justice and compassion for those of least advantage. Senator Lipman's Walk that included blazing many trails and expanding opportunities for those who were traditionally underserved, was one of the motivating factors in my decision to pursue a career in medicine. From this vantage, I have been able to service those of least advantage and to offer quality, comprehensive health care to vulnerable populations in distressed urban areas.”

Councilor Baskerville has served Essex County in public and private health settings for nearly 25 years,  providing treatment, preventive care and health education to residents of Newark, Orange, Irvington, East Orange and Montclair. She is a frequent speaker on health issues in schools, churches, mosques and other institutions. She has also served as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and the Health Committee of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. She served as a Member of the Montclair School Board prior to being elected to the Montclair Town Council in 2008.