MARY SUE RAMSDEN, ESQ., AMEN CORNER PRESIDENT 2011

It is truly an honor to serve as President of Amen Corner, an organization of Pittsburgh Tradition since 1870!     Since taking over as president in December of 2010, we have already had a number of highly successful events, which has allowed our members and their guests to truly enjoy themselves and to experience the kind of camaraderie that Amen Corner offers.

In February of 2011, we had a Happy Hour Networking event at the Common Plea Restaurant, where members invited guests and potential new members to meet and greet!   We had a full house, and everyone really enjoyed just having a relaxing opportunity to just meet and greet old and new friends and colleagues.   Given the great feedback that we got from this, we plan to try to have more informal events such as this. 

On April 28, 2011, Amen Corner sponsored our 51st Annual Judicial Reception at the Common Plea.   It was perhaps our largest and best Judicial Reception ever!   Over 200 people attended to see Judge Jeffrey Manning receive the Robert E. Dauer Award for judicial leadership and judicial excellence.  At the Judicial Reception, Amen Corner honored deceased member and past president, Judge James R. McGregor, by introducing the inaugural James R. McGregor Award.  Judge McGregor was a member of Amen Corner for over 50 years, and was one of the most outspoken advocates for Amen Corner.   This year the inaugural McGregor Award was given to a young lawyer, Michael K. Feeney, for his outstanding contributions to the profession and the community.    

On May 10, 2011, Amen Corner hosted an Elbow to Elbow event at the Rivers Club where members and their guests attended a free event in order to meet and rub elbows with old friends, as well as new friends and potential new members to Amen Corner.   Again, we had a full house and everyone enjoyed himself or herself.

In July of 2011, Amen Corner is planning a new event, to honor Firefighters and First Responders, for their heroic contributions to the communities in which we live.   That event is scheduled for Friday, July 22, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center.   For information about this event, contact Robert J. Fall or Mary Sue Ramsden at Raphael Ramsden & Behers.  412-471-8822. 

On October 14, 2011, Amen Corner will be hosting our annual Senator John Heinz Law Enforcement event, at the Sheraton Hotel on the South Side, at which we honor police and law enforcement who have committed acts of heroism throughout the year.   This event is always sold out, and anyone who has been to this knows why.   We have well known media and other public figures tell each story of heroism, and to hand out the awards.   This is a fabulous event, with heartwarming stories of bravery, which will make you proud of our honorees, and of the hard work of our local law enforcement.

And last, but not least, our holiday party is tentatively scheduled for December 8, 2011.   Put this one on your calendar, as we hope to have this be one of the most spectacular holiday events ever!   We would like to have our event at the fabulous Mansions on Fifth, on Fifth Avenue, located on the old Millionaire's Row.   If you have not yet been to the "Mansion," now is the time to come and see what all the talk is about!   It is a classy, fabulous venue that is so easy to get to (only minutes from downtown) with valet parking, and catering by our good friends at the Common Plea Restaurant!   It's all good! 

We hope to update our web site throughout the year, so check back in frequently, for updates on coming events! 

And as we say at the conclusion of our Amen Corner Board of Governors meetings, AAAAAMEN!   

Mary Sue Ramsden

President, Amen Corner