For nearly 30 years Grace Mattern has called the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence home. This week Grace announced that she is planning on retiring in June of 2011. Below is an excerpt of the communication Grace sent out to friends of the Coalition.

"I personally plan to continue to work as hard as ever to lead the Coalition over the next year, and have fully committed to partnering with the board, staff and member programs in undertaking this final year of succession planning."

"It has been an incredible honor and privilege to have such meaningful and rewarding work for the past three decades. As the Coalition has grown, I have grown and learned invaluable lessons about resilience, change, leadership, ethical communication and fierce determination. I continue to be inspired by survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and by the committed advocates, on every level, across the state that make all the work of the Coalition possible. I thank you all for your faith in me over the past 29 years, and look forward to working with you over the next year to make the Coalition's transition a time of continued growth and enrichment."