When Loretta Winters was born, she was diagnosed with kidney disease and given only 6 months to live. After spending most of her childhood in and out of hospitals, she fully recovered when she was a teenager. “I didn’t have the luxury of growing up feeling young and invincible,” says Loretta. “I knew life wasn’t guaranteed, and I felt like God saved me for a reason. I didn’t know what that reason was, but I was determined to find out.” You might say she has. Loretta currently serves as president of the Gloucester County NAACP, and she is the 2nd VP for the NAACP State Conference. She is a member of the board of directors for South Jersey Federal Credit Union and a former councilwoman and vice president for Monroe Township (the only woman of color to hold that title). Read more about Women of Excellence Lifetime Legacy Award Honoree Loretta Winters' incredible work at our link in bio! Photo: @dhmphotography