Insights > EEI Honors Ann Pride Posthumously with Unity Award
EEI Honors Ann Pride Posthumously with Unity Award
09/14/2016
Tribute recognizes positive industrywide impact
On Sept. 7, the Edison Electric Institute posthumously honored former Entergy employee Ann Pride with its Tony Anthony Member Unity Award.
Since 2011, this award has been presented annually to an individual whose body of work has generated substantial benefits to EEI’s utility members and customers.
“I can’t recall a member company employee whose identity and passion were as entwined with a single issue as Ann’s was with the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,” said Tom Kuhn, EEI president. “Her leadership on LIHEAP truly did embody the kind of unity and leadership this award seeks to recognize.”
Pride, who died on Feb. 21, served as Entergy’s director of federal governmental affairs. She’d worked in the company’s Washington D.C. office since 1991. Pride participated in LIHEAP Action Day since its inception and was instrumental in securing Entergy’s support and involvement in the annual observance.
“Ann’s passion for politics was matched only by her compassion for those in need,” said Patty Riddlebarger, director of corporate social responsibility. “She worked the halls of Congress tirelessly as a voice for the vulnerable – children, the elderly, the disabled and working families.”
Pride’s career involved collaboration with some of America’s most accomplished leaders, including presidents, vice presidents and members of Congress. Before joining Entergy, Pride worked for former U.S. Senator David Pryor. During her tenure with the company, she took a leave of absence to work on the Bill Clinton/Al Gore presidential campaign and to serve as press secretary for Gore.
Entergy Chairman and CEO Leo Denault accepted the award on Pride’s behalf.
“There are so many who owe Ann a debt of gratitude, a debt that can never fully be repaid,” noted Denault. “But it can be paid forward. Ann taught us well and has equipped us to continue her important work. And now it’s up to us to do so.”
Entergy's corporate social responsibility efforts are rooted in the economic realities of the Gulf South. About 30 percent of Entergy's 2.6 million residential customers live at or below the poverty line.
Since 1999, Entergy shareholders have invested more than $75 million to support programs and initiatives that help individuals and families break the bonds of poverty.
These efforts address both the unique needs of low-income customers as well as the broader societal implications of endemic poverty. Goals include increasing the flow of utility assistance funds, providing tools and education to help low income customers better manage their bills, and helping low income customers achieve economic self-sufficiency through programs with a proven track record of lifting individuals and families out of poverty.
Entergy’s investments improve life for the customers and communities we serve, and they are designed to ultimately end poverty in the region. Learn more about Entergy’s efforts to fight poverty.