At our 34th Annual Conference, March 21-24, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the INA posthumously gave the Meritorious Service Award to Judi Merlin. Judi was an agency owner, a founding member of APNA and a long time attendee at INA Conferences. She had the vision to create a business that would ensure the wellbeing of children and elevate the status of caregiving. She founded ‘A Friend of the Family’ in 1984 and ran it for more than 30 years before retiring in 2014. Called a pioneer and trailblazer in the industry, it is said that she “brought new found dignity and professional wages to those who provide care for others. She brought job security and pride to a sea of skilled women, many of whom were women of color and from widely varied backgrounds with limited access and options.”
Nannies who worked with Judi speak of her advocacy and willingness to invest in others. Agency friends and colleagues recognize her sound input, willingness to collaborate and offer insights and advice. It is said that her experiences demonstrated her wisdom. She was a founding member of APNA (Association of Premier Nanny Agencies) and received many awards and accolades over the years including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
Her acceptance speech shares the depth of her calling. In her words… “First, although this award is very significant to me, my true lifetime achievement has been my four wonderful children: Mia, Louis, Hilary, and Shana. The titles I am most proud of our Mother and Bubbie (grandmother). I am now going to name for you my seven sensational grandchildren because the sound of their names is so sweet to me: Lily, Isaac, Luna, Sammy, Sebastian, Felix, and Maxie. I love you. This is who I am, a mother cleverly or maybe not so cleverly disguised as a businesswoman. My children, in fact, ALL children, are the reason I started my business. I wanted to help children feel loved and cared for during their parent’s absence. I wanted to help whole families feel loved and cared for.”
In February of 2018, Judi was hit by a car while crossing the street near her home and died from the injuries she sustained. Judi’s daughter Hilary, with her siblings, created the I STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS MAGNET to spark the conversation of pedestrian fatalities, which are on the rise; up 27% in the last ten years. They raised thousands of dollars and shared 3,000 magnets; creating something beautiful and positive from such a terrible tragedy. To honor Judi’s memory, the INA donated a gift to the Judi Merlin Scholarship for APNA Excellence and Education. If you would also like to honor Judi in this way, find more information on the APNA Website https://theapna.org/about/judith-langer-merlin-scholarship-for-apna-education/.
If you would like to see the full presentation that APNA did when they started this scholarship, please check it out here.