Grace Powers Monaco · 1985 Honoree

Grace Monaco’s profession is law, however it would appear that her most consuming interest is the welfare of mankind. A caring parent, Grace has extended this care beyond her household and into the Capitol Hill community where she lives.

Born Grace Powers in Union City, New Jersey, she received a B.A. Degree in 1960 from College Misericordia, Dallas, Pennsylvania, the J.D. Degree from Georgetown University in 1963, and was admitted to the Bar of the District of Columbia in1964.

After the tragic loss of their daughter, Kathleen Rea, to Leukemia in July of 1970, Grace and her husband, Larry, felt the selfless need to reach beyond their own anguish to help others suffering similarly. They were among the founding parents of an organization known as the Candelighter Childhood Cancer Foundation. Today it has grown international in scope with over 25,000 parents and professionals and 3,000 teenagers participating. Grace Monaco served as President in 1976.

Grace’s health interests led to her involvement with our own Capitol Hill Hospital where she has held a board seat since 1976 and chaired the same from 1982 through 1984. During her active tenure on the board of this hospital, its image has improved substantially. Programs for diabetics, hypertension, women’s protection, adolescent psychology and an elderly life line were established in addition to the excellent sports medicine clinic which has received much area attention. She continues to serve as Vice-chairman of the Board of the parent company, The Washington Health Care Corporation. Capitol Hill Hospital, through the efforts of Grace and her management team, has risen to be among the very finest in our Metropolitan Area. As a result, Capitol Hill is an even better place in which to live and work.

Mrs. Monaco is well known among those who fight the battle against cancer. She is on the National Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, a member of the board of the local D.C. chapter, a member of the Advisory Committee to the Division of Cancer Control and Rehabilitation of the National Cancer Institute.

We haven't heard of a Capitol Hill Community Who’s Who but Grace is sure to be high on the list of deserving luminaries. The title of a recent magazine article on her accomplishments puts it simply and aptly: “Amazing Grace”.