News  Women’s Recovery Court Session Inspires and Empowers Attendees in Journey to Sobriety

More than 200 women have filled the hall at Anthony’s in Malden this morning to celebrate, support, and share stories of challenges and triumph at the Women’s Recovery Court Session. This year’s theme is “Inspire and Empower.”

This annual celebration, presented by Malden District Court Probation and the Massachusetts Trial Court, was first introduced 12 years ago by then Chelsea District Court Judge Benjamin Barnes, who is now Edgartown District Court First Justice, then Chelsea Probation Probation Officer Judy Lawler (now retired Malden District ACPO) and Katie O’Leary of North Suffolk Community Services.

Malden District Court First Justice Emily Karstetter, Lynn District Court First Justice Ina Howard-Hogan, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Malden Chief Probation Officer Marisa Cogliandro-Vaughan provided remarks of encouragement and empowerment.

The Benjamin C. Barnes-Women’s Recovery Court Session Awards were presented to Fall River District Court Probation Officer II Erinn Lanczycki; Crystal Roca, Chelsea Sober House Manager; and Caitlin Diblasi, RN, Nurse Case Manager at North Suffolk Community Services.

This celebration is being streamed to incarcerated women of the Women’s Program Services Division of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.