In addition to inducting Army Captain Kristen Griest, Major Regina Y. Rush-Kittle, and USAF Colonel Ruth A. Lucas at its 24th Annual Induction Ceremony & Celebration, “Heroic Women: Honoring Those Who Protect and Serve,” the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame (CWHF) will recognize 10 Heroic Women Honorees on Nov. 9. Charlee Tufts of Cos Cob is one of those Honorees.
Tufts is the former Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Greenwich Emergency Medical Service. With 30 years of experience improving emergency medical service in Connecticut, Tufts has been widely acknowledged for her contributions to the field. In 1984 she was contracted by the Town of Greenwich Department of Health to evaluate the current EMS system, and develop a plan to advance EMS 911 patient care to the Advanced Life Support Mobile Intensive Care level. In July of 1986 the Greenwich Emergency Medical Systems (GEMS) was founded as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Tufts has guided the development of GEMS since its inception, as it has grown and adapted to ever changing patient needs and technological innovations. Under her leadership GEMS received numerous awards, including the William H. Spurgeon III Award, and the Governor’s Excellence in Service Award. Tufts also received the A.E. Hertzler Knox Award for Excellence and Lifetime EMS Service and the Greenwich YMCA Brava Award. Tufts holds a Nursing degree from San Diego State College and Mercy College, a B.S. in Public Safety Administration from Central Connecticut State University, and is currently pursuing her masters.
“From first responders to the legal system to the armed forces and more, this year’s Honorees embody what it means to ‘protect and serve’ in so many ways,” says Kathryn Gloor, executive director of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame. “Their careers are nothing short of inspiring and every single day their work is empowering the next generation of heroic women.”
The event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. For more information, visit cwhf.org
