Junior League of Columbia 2023-2024 Awards

The Junior League of Columbia, Inc. is full of strong, caring women who strive to give back to the greater Columbia area. Every year there are a select few who go above and beyond. These women and organization stood out to everyone they interacted within and outside of the Junior League. At the final General Membership Meeting of the year held on Thursday, May 2, 2024, the following organization and individuals were recognized for the passion and hard work they poured into the Junior League of Columbia and the community as a whole over the last year.

Friend of the League Award – Kendra Scott at Trenholm Plaza

The Friend of the League Award recognizes a community organization or individual who has made outstanding contributions to the Junior League of Columbia, Inc. and its purpose. Kendra Scott at Trenholm Plaza helped the League launch our inaugural “Find the Good Day.” This initiative aims to build brand awareness to promote positivity and highlight the good being done in our local communities. Kendra Scott at Trenholm Plaza offered a special give back night to highlight the good in our community but went even further by creating a special Junior League of Columbia jewelry. A percentage of all sales went back to the League. Through this philanthropic initiative, the Junior League of Columbia raised unexpected funds by Kendra Scott at Trenholm Plaza giving back 20% of sales earned during the special shopping event. The generosity of Kendra Scott at Trenholm Plaza combined with the incredible success and turnout from the Junior League and community members helped the Junior League of Columbia be recognized by the Association of Junior Leagues International as one of the top three selling events. In addition to this, Kendra Scott corporate provided additional funds. The “Find the Good Day” initiative is not the organization’s first partnership with the Junior League of Columbia. They have also hosted several New member events and participated in the Holiday Market as a vendor.

New Member of the Year Award – Yvannah “Yvee” Willis

The New Member of the Year Award recognizes a New Member who has exemplified successful leadership qualities and demonstrated commitment to the Junior League of Columbia. Yvannah “Yvee” Willis has been an instrumental member of the Community Impact team. This team is helping shape the League’s future community focus. Yvee has gone above and beyond this year with her leadership and willingness to serve the League.

Kinsey Black Jones Memorial Award – Liliann “Lil” Pineda

The Kinsey Black Jones Memorial Award recognizes an outstanding recent Active member (a first, second, or third-year Active) who has advanced the volunteer ideals of the Junior League of Columbia by epitomizing superlative service in her placement. This award is named after one of the League’s own who had a heart for service but was taken away too soon. During Lil’s first active year, she served on the Social Media Committee within the Communications Council and was slated to serve as the Social Media chair her second active year. She has been sharing the League’s story via all social media outlets with timely updates and a fun flare. Lil is attentive, creative, dedicated, and exemplifies the Junior League’s mission. There is no telling what Lil’s future may hold, but there is no doubt that it will be bright and shining a light on all the amazing things the Junior League and its members are doing.

Transfer Award – Dani Peeler

The Transfer Award recognizes an Active member who has transferred her membership to the Junior League of Columbia within the past three years, who has exemplified successful leadership qualities, and demonstrated commitment to the Junior League of Columbia. When Dani’s committee was downsized during the 2022-2023 year, she became the first ever Executive Management Team (EMT) Manager and even stayed in this role for another year. In this role, she uses her organizational skills to keep all the EMT leaders on task. Dani has created an amazing playbook for future EMT managers who will be following in her footsteps.

Nancy Mayer Dunbar Leadership Award – Twyla Stowe

The Nancy Mayer Dunbar Leadership Award recognizes an Active member in good standing who has exemplified successful leadership qualities and is named for Sustainer Lifetime Achievement recipient, Nancy Dunbar, whose exemplary leadership has set the standard. Twyla Stowe is the epitome of a true League Leader. She is constantly thinking of ways to improve membership experience and highlight the great work being done by the League and its members. Her dedication to the Junior League of Columbia is unwavering. Through her time on the Nominating Committee over the last three years, Twyla has worked to make the process be more open and transparent by hosting several Education and Development events focused on the nominating process. This year, she served as the nominating chair and ensured that every position had interviews held. In addition to the Nominating Committee, Twyla has been an influential Board member making Bylaw and Policy recommendations to help the Junior League continue to grow and evolve. Several members have expressed how she has mentored them and gone out of her way to provide encouragement, guidance, a listening ear, and an advocate for these members. She has a way of challenging everyone she encounters within the League to be the best member they can be. Twyla makes sure that the Junior League of Columbia is not only surviving but thriving.

Mary Harriman Trailblazer Award – Wanda Austin

The Mary Harriman Trailblazer Award honors and acknowledges a member whose bold leadership and significant volunteer efforts truly exemplify the League’s mission, as well as her ability to positively motivate others to share their talents through effective volunteer service. Mary Harriman, founder of the Junior League in 1901 in New York City, was a trailblazer herself and is the namesake for this award.

Wanda Austin embodies community voluntarism and activism in action. Most days she can be found supporting the community and the Junior League. Wanda utilizes her social media to bring awareness to the community and the good that can be found in Columbia. She goes above and beyond when it comes to helping with events and making sure members feel valued and appreciated. She also has a way of getting others involved. An example of this was her work with the Centennial 100 Acts of Service. Wanda was so invested in the mission that she was able to create further shifts after the initial events occurred. Her servant’s heart, radiant personality, and stylish flair are just some of the many things that make her a true trailblazer just like the League’s founder.

Katherine Davis Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Award – Teresa Wilson

The Ketharine Davis Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Award is one of the newer Junior League of Columbia awards. This award is named in honor of Katherine Davis, Sustainer Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, for her leadership in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the League. This award recognizes a New, Active, or Sustaining member in good standing who follows her legacy.

Teresa Wilson has served in the Junior League of Columbia for 20 years supporting community projects and identifying the next generation of leaders. She is a source of inspiration and support and a true champion for the Junior League of Columbia. This carries over from her work as the City Manager for the South Carolina capitol city. In all of her roles whether with the League or the City of Columbia, Teresa strives to advance the community in new and diverse ways. Everyday she is making sure the needs of residents are being addressed while also focusing on initiatives around safety and economic development to foster future economic growth. At the Centennial Year Milestones Luncheon, Teresa shared her inspiring wisdom and advice while surrounded by a City of Columbia team full of Junior League members that represent the future of the community and the Junior League. Teresa Wilson is a proven leader that continually embodies the qualities and characteristics of a Katherine Davis Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Award recipient.

Sustainer Lifetime Achievement Award – Pamela Adams

The Sustainer Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes one Sustaining member who exemplifies the purpose of the Junior League of Columbia, voluntarism, who has translated her volunteer training into outstanding community commitment and involvement and who continues to demonstrate an interest in the Junior League. Pamela Adams has helped lead not only this year’s centennial community efforts but also spearheaded the 90^th anniversary community project partnering with the City of Columbia to revitalize Roy Lynch Park in downtown Columbia. This centennial year, she helped facilitate the 100 Acts of Service by collaborating with legacy community partners, Active members, and Sustainers. Outside of the League, Pamela is a seasoned educator who has even taught many League members and serves the community as a school board member. With over 20 years in the Junior League, she will be joining the 2024-2025 board as a Sustainer representative where she will continue to serve the League with her creative ideas and positive energy.

Executive Vice-President Award – Natasha Harrison

The Executive Vice President selects the recipient of this award and recognizes an Active member in good standing who contributes to the tradition and vision of making the Junior League of Columbia a better organization through outstanding in-league service. This past year, Natasha Harrison became the Community VP. There were numerous unexpected challenges that came up over the year, but Natasha faced them head on and persevered for the Junior League of Columbia. Despite losing the Shift Chair and facing challenges with securing quality shift opportunities, she was able to reimagine Community shifts for the League. By striving to meet League membership, partners, and affiliates where they are, Natasha has also been able to support diverse opportunities to impact the community.

President’s Award – Sara Eaves and Natasha Drozdak

The President’s Award recognizes an Active member(s) in good standing who continues the tradition and vision of making the Junior League of Columbia a better organization through outstanding in-league service. Sara Eaves and Natasha Drozdak have committed the last two years to the centennial initiative. During this timeframe, they have led a large committee, re-engaged with sustainers and found innovative ways to raise funds. These two ladies have utilized their talents and skills to put on a beautiful centennial year full of special programs, fundraising opportunities and communications that have shone a light on the tremendous work the Junior League of Columbia has achieved over the last century. With Sara and Natasha’s efforts, the League has been reenergized to not only look back and celebrate our past but also look with enthusiasm and excitement at what collaborative and innovative ways the League will continue to impact the community moving forward.

Katharine Heath Manning Perry Award – Ambra Hiott

The Katharine Heath Manning Perry Award recognizes an Active member in good standing who has excelled in community voluntarism and activism, through her Junior League of Columbia placements and through extensions of her Junior League of Columbia work and training. This award symbolizes what the League is all about in the spirit of our founder, Katharine Manning. Ambra Hiott has led the Community Research and Project Development (CRPD) team throughout the past year. Under her leadership, the CRPD committee members have reengaged with community partners in new and innovative ways. Ambra has led trainings to committee members and prepared them for board service. She expedited the community impact work by developing processes, timelines, and communications. She is the definition of a true leader. Through her work on developing the League’s new focus area, Ambra has embodied the spirit of Katharine Manning who was dedicated to community voluntarism and activism. Both of these amazing women saw needs and led groups of women to make huge impacts in the community. Ambra’s passion and leadership has undoubtedly helped move the Junior League of Columbia into the next 100 years and will have lasting impact.

All of these women have dedicated their time and resources to further advancing the mission of the Junior League of Columbia. The League looks forward to not only the amazing efforts these women will continue to make in the Junior League but also the many women that they have had profound effects on who will impact the community and the League for generations to come. Congratulations ladies!