onors

ONORS
Smith gets Healer Award
Judge Beth Smith of Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court recently received the Chief Justice Warren E. Burger Healer Award on Nov. 4 in Washington, D.C., at the 20th annual Children's Rights Conference.
Children's Rights Council is an international nonprofit organization devoted to the healthy development of children. The council was founded in 1985 by prominent professionals with decades of experience in law, psychology, social work and child education. It promotes strengthening families through marriage, but when separation or divorce occurs, the council believes in keeping both parents involved in the child's life. The award is presented to a judge who promotes mediation over litigation and promotes healing after the breakup of a relationship.
Judge Smith was instrumental in the establishment of Hope House, which is a safe haven access center and also provides supervised visitations and parental education located on the city's South Side.
Judge Smith also participated in the opening of The Gift Exchange operated by Tri-County Children's Rights Council.
Judge Smith was first elected domestic relations court judge in November 1996. She was re-elected to the bench in November 2002. In November 1988, Judge Smith became the first woman elected as a judge in the history of Mahoning County when she was elected to the Mahoning County Court.
She obtained her bachelor's degree from Ohio State University in 1978 and her law degree from Ohio Northern University in 1983.
Milestones is a regular Sunday feature in The Vindicator. Articles must be submitted within 30 days of the Milestone event. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you want a picture returned. Pictures also may be picked up at the paper's Front Street facility at the security guard station. Send items to: Milestones, c/o The Vindicator, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501.