Hundreds of friends, family members, and well-wishers packed the ballroom at Valley Mansion in Cockeysville, MD last Saturday to honor Sheela Murthy for her outstanding humanitarian work and philanthropy. The applause was thunderous when Ms. Murthy took the stage to receive the 2012 Sadie Award from the Children’s Guild at their annual gala fundraiser, Cabaret for Kids.

In keeping with tradition, Ms. Murthy was welcomed to the stage with a song, “One Candle Lights the Way,” honoring Murthy and the memory of Sadie Dashew Ginsburg, a Children’s Guild founder for whom the award is named. The award was presented by Dr. Andrew L. Ross, President and CEO of the Children’s Guild, who praised Murthy for her unflagging philanthropic work to help women, children, and immigrants. As Dr. Ross and Children’s Guild Board Chairman, William Purnell, remarked in the evening’s program:

“Sheela joins the Guild in making the impossible possible as she works to improve the lives of society’s most vulnerable and disenfranchised members. Her generosity has made a difference in the lives of so many people both in India, the country of her roots, and in the United States, her adopted country.”

Although Murthy is best known as a world-class immigration attorney and entrepreneur, her philanthropic commitments are legion. Through the MurthyNAYAK Foundation – a charitable organization Murthy founded with her husband, artist and filmmaker Vasant Nayak – she gives generous support to several nonprofits, here and in India, providing the wherewithal to help women, children, and immigrants to achieve a better life through education, health care, and social services. Ms. Murthy also provides leadership to several nonprofits, serving actively on the boards of the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, Stevenson University, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and the American Immigration Council – among many others.

Copyright © 2012, SHEELA MURTHY. All Rights Reserved