The League of Women Voters Greenwich is pleased to announce that its distinguished honor, the Burnett Award, was presented at its Annual Meeting on June 2, to Marla Laney in recognition of her many years of service to the Greenwich League.
Laney moved to Connecticut from California in 1991 and began her long tenure with the League shortly thereafter. For more than 20 years, Laney has produced the League’s newsletter, The Voter, and the Voter’s Guide.
The Voter’s Guide may be the League’s best-known publication to inform voters about candidates for public office. Laney has also designed and updated most LWV Greenwich printed materials and publications.
Jara Burnett, for whom the award was named, noted, “[Marla] was tireless … and ready to help whenever and whatever was needed. Thank you! [She] will be missed.”
Prior to moving to Connecticut, Laney dabbled in both the insurance and financial industries, but later found her passion in the field of graphic design. While raising her two daughters, she began freelancing and developed a client list of local businesses and nonprofits for whom she has designed materials for many years. The next chapter of Laney’s life involves moving westward with her husband, Brian, with the goal of having a beautiful mountain view from her back yard.
The Burnett Award is presented to a longstanding member of the LWV Greenwich, whose significant contributions to the organization have positively impacted the work of the League through their time, actions, talents and dedication.
This award was established in 2019 to recognize and honor Jara Burnett whose decades of vision, commitment, and leadership of the League of Women Voters of Greenwich have been an inspiration to all.