Anne B. LaRussa, Community Volunteer; Founder, Oasis Women’s Counseling Center; & Advisory Board member, Hand In Paw—volunteer for animal assisted therapy
Favorite quote: The Wise Woman’s Stone – A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food—the hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him—she did so without hesitation. The traveler left rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman—I’ve been thinking,” he said, “I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.”
Mission: To help women and children heal, grow and overcome difficult life circumstances by providing affordable mental health counseling and innovative educational programs in a respectful and nurturing environment.
Job description: Founder, Ex-Oficio board member of Oasis. Trustee on the Joseph S. Bruno Charitable Foundation
Length of service: 1995 to present
Accreditations: Licensed Professional Counselor; Certified Counseling Supervisor
Favorite awards and honors: Birmingham Business Journal Women in Business Achievement 2001, Outstanding Alumni John Carroll High School, Class of 1956. University of Alabama at Birmingham, Outstanding Alumni Counseling Award-1995-96. Hand In Paw Cornerstone Award 2006 and Mouska Sellers award for outstanding volunteer-2004
Education: Master of Arts in Counseling, University of Alabama at Birmingham. Education Specialist Degree University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Family: Husband, Benny LaRussa, 6 children,, Benny Jr., Karen Persinger, Dr. Joe LaRussa, John LaRussa, Marian Phillips, David LaRussa. 14 grandchildren
Personal business philosophy: A non- profit is a business and needs to run efficiently and with accountability.
Best advice ever received: Surround yourself with a good team of employees.
Strongest inspiration. My dear friend Shirley Raliff, who believed in me and gave me constant encouragement.
Being in business has taught me: The necessity of having a plan and follow through to meet the goals of the organization.
What most people don’t realize about me: I like the simple, everyday things I do in my life. It doesn’t take much to make me happy.
Favorite place or way to relax: Going to the beach or lake.
Favorite restaurant: Dewey Destin – Destin, Forida.
