Frankenmuth, MI – October 2, 2019 – Underground Railroad, Inc. has named Tammy Bernier its 2019 Empowerment Award Honoree. The annual recognition is presented to an extraordinary real-life superhero, who is committed to empowering survivors and eliminating abuse in Saginaw County. Bernier will be celebrated at Underground Railroad’s Empowerment Dinner & Celebration on October 2nd at the Bavarian Inn Lodge and Conference Center.
“There is nothing that inspires me more than the resilience and courage of human beings overcoming the circumstances of their life. We all are impacted in some way by the heartbreak of domestic violence; it ripples throughout our society as we can see from the staggering statistics of 1 in 3 women experiencing abuse by an intimate partner. This creates a legacy that must be broken: for women, children and families. Leaving is one of the most difficult and dangerous decisions a woman can make and the Underground Railroad assures that there is a safe place to go, to heal, to learn to live again. I am honored to be recognized by an organization that has made a difference for so many.” Said Bernier, CEO of Saginaw-based, Duperon Corporation.
In addition to numerous achievements in business, Bernier has been a long-time supporter of women’s initiatives in the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond. She currently serves as the Chair of the Saginaw County Business Education Partnership, is on the Advisory Boards of Mid-Michigan Women in Leadership and the Junior League as well as on the Board of Directors for the Child Abuse and Neglect Council. Bernier has been awarded with the Vistage Detroit Soaring Eagle Award (2009); YWCA Great LakesBay Region Women of Achievement Award in Business (2012); and inducted into the Junior Achievement of Northeast Michigan’s 18th Annual Hall of Fame (2015).
Most recently, Bernier wrote the forward to #SheWins: Harrowing Stories from Women Who Survived Domestic Abuse, by Michigan native Alisa Divine. Copies of the book were purchased by Duperon Corporation, and donated to local domestic violence shelters. “We are pleased to assist this mission in this small way,” remarked Bernier. “All of us have had just the right person or words that moved us beyond fear to hope for a better life. I am proud to say that making a difference and empowering dreams is a reflection of the values of the men and women of Duperon Corporation.”
This year’s Empowerment Dinner & Celebration begins at 5:30pm with a cocktail reception, followed by buffet-style dinner. In addition to the award ceremony, attendees will enjoy live music by the Robert Lee Revue, silent auction, raffles, and more. Individual tickets are $75, and can be purchased here. The event is sponsored by Ascension St. Mary’s, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, Wildfire Credit Union, Bavarian Inn Lodge, and Beyer Roofing.
About Underground Railroad
For 42 years, Underground Railroad has been the only provider of emergency shelter and services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking in Saginaw County. Annually, Underground Railroad provides over 13,000 safe bed nights to over 600 women, children, men, and pets. Over 4,000 Saginaw County families access their services each year. https://undergroundrailroadinc.org/