Judge Rosemary Collins '76 Honored for Commitment to Children

Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Rosemary Collins, who has dedicated her life to reducing family violence and expanding opportunities for children in the Rock River Valley, was named the 48th annual Excalibur Award recipient by the Rockford Register Star newspaper earlier this month.

Collins graduated from St. Ambrose in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

She recalled her mother, who died recently at the age of 102, as she accepted her award.

"We want to make our community better, safer and healthier," Collins said during her acceptance speech. "We want to make it so that every child has the same opportunities as somebody like me. So I am grateful for my mother's lead who always taught me that ‘no' was just the beginning of the conversation, and you keep on working no matter what."

Collins was appointed to the 17th Circuit bench in 1989. She previously served as assistant state's attorney and assistant public defender.

"Rose has led the fight against domestic violence," said her husband, Paul E. Gaziano, a Rockford attorney. "She is responsible for bringing in over $5 million in grant money to fight domestic violence. She created the Domestic Violence Court, the Children's Safe Harbor program, and is striving to erect a Family Justice Center in Rockford.

"The Excalibur Award is highly regarded and prized by the community. Rose's award is based upon her tireless efforts in promoting a safer community, especially for the youth, as well as her energy in involving the youth in many programs and presentations."