Vincentian Academy Honors Gladys Bettis, Others For Courage, Selfless Service

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- For the past four years, Vincentian Academy has been honoring men and women from Pittsburgh for their selfless service, and this year is no different.

Two of this year's honorees are working to make Pittsburgh a better place.

It is a common sentiment at awards banquets.

"I didn't feel that I was worthy of this," said Gladys Bettis, an honoree.

But the mother of Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis is the Woman of Courage Award winner. She says she wasn't sure how courageous she was until winning her battle with breast cancer.

"I heard Jerome say, "My mom is so strong." I knew I was a little strong. I didn't realize I had the strength that I do. I do have it and I'm just so blessed to be here," said Gladys.

She is one of six recipients at Vincentian's annual awards gala. In addition to Women of Courage, three were named Spirit of Charity honorees.

"We work with people who are sleeping under bridges and abandoned buildings on the river banks and we bring medical care directly to them," said Dr. Jim Withers, an award winner.

In addition to teaching medicine, Dr. Withers founded Operation Safety Net to deliver medical care to the homeless.

"They have much to teach us about their lives, how hard it is, and also how to reach out and connect with them," Dr. Withers said. "So, in addition to helping people that are suffering, I think we bring back a lot of lessons about our own humanity from them."

Like Dr. Withers, Gladys Bettis says she will do anything she can to reach out to others in need.

"I'm a survivor. So I'm great. If I can help any young lady out there or young woman, that's what I want to do. I feel great," she said.

And many others do to thanks to her lesson in courage.

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