PRESS RELEASE
IBC Foundation president Lorina Marshall-Blake honored by Philadelphia NAACP
Award recognizes 104 influential black women during Women’s History Month
Philadelphia, PA — March 24, 2013 —Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, was honored as one of Philadelphia NAACP’s 104 Influential Black Women in Philadelphia for 2013 today at a fundraising and awards presentation held at the Grand Ball Room at The First District Plaza in Philadelphia.
“Lorina is a role model for community activism, not only in her own involvement in more than 30 different organizations, but in inspiring others to give back, “said Jerry Mondesire, president of the NAACP’s Philadelphia branch. “She genuinely wants to help others do well because of the success she’s attained and the good fortunate she had in her life.”
Marshall-Blake is passionately interested in issues that affect girls, women, and youth. She’s worked with the Coalition of 100 Black Women to help promote leadership development and gender equity, and CORA, which provides programs to at-risk children, youth, and families, Marshall-Blake has been recognized by numerous organizations including the Girl Scouts and Girls, Inc, a nonprofit organization that serves young women and their families throughout the Delaware Valley. Additionally, she brought attention to health disparities and has been actively involved with American Heart Association campaigns.
The awardees, recognized for their community involvement and civic leadership, will be featured in the NAACP Henry Lee Moon Library and Civil Rights Archives, which is housed at the NAACP National Headquarters. The library is a national information center that highlights the legacy of the NAACP and its struggle for civil rights. It maintains a reference collection of materials, including books and photos, about the civil rights movement and other related topics as well as works by and about those who contributed to the movement.
Marshall-Blake began her professional career as an administrative assistant. Within eight years of starting as an assistant to the president of Philadelphia Gas Works, Marshall-Blake was promoted to vice president of government and community relations. She joined Independence Blue Cross in 1991 working with local, state, and federal legislators, as well as agencies, on matters relevant to Independence Blue Cross. In October of 2011, she became the president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, whose mission is to transform health care through innovation in the communities it serves.
Marshall-Blake grew up in the Philadelphia area. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Antioch College and a master of arts in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her corporate responsibility, Marshall-Blake serves as an associate minister at the Vine Memorial Baptist Church.
About the Independence Blue Cross Foundation
In October 2011, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, launched a charitable, private foundation, whose mission is to transform health care through innovation in the communities it serves. The IBC Foundation and Independence Blue Cross, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, are both committed to improving the health and wellness of the people of southeastern Pennsylvania. The foundation targets the following areas of impact:
- Caring for our most vulnerable: Supporting nonprofit health clinics that deliver quality, cost-effective primary, medical, and dental care to uninsured and underinsured people.
- Enhancing health care delivery: Strengthening the nursing workforce through education, career development, and research.
- Building healthy communities: Partnering with community leaders and programs to address community health and wellness needs.
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Media Contact:
Ruth Stoolman
Independence Blue Cross
Ruth.stoolman@ibx.com
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215.280.3335 (cell)