Congratulations to Lorraine Whittington, a long time member of AAUW! Lorraine recently received the Spirit of Service Award from Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, Missouri.
Lorraine Whittington, Joplin AAUW branch member was presented with the 2018 Spirit of Service Award.
She graduated from Missouri Southern in 1982 with a degree in business administration and joined Business and Professional Women, Inc. in the mid-1980s, obtaining the status of state president. She also joined Epsilon Sigma Alpha Women International and spent 50 years serving this organization.
Over the years, Whittington also has been involved with the American Association of University of Women, where she served as president of the Joplin branch for six years; the Joplin Women’s Club, serving three years as president; Spiva Center for the Arts; and the MSSU Alumni Association.
University officials said Whittington has supported MSSU through donations to the Mission Hills mansion restoration project as well as the annual fund, and she helped start a holiday auction through the AAUW to raise funds for a scholarship to MSSU.
Marjory Boudreaux received the AAUW-MO Woman of Distinction Award-2020. Marjory has dedicated her life to service for others and is a champion of opportunities for
women. Marjory’s obvious compassion and dedication make her an excellent leader.
In AAUW she willingly served consecutive terms as president, vice president of membership, financial officer and currently as secretary. In those capacities, she encouraged participation and worked to make the Holiday Auction, which provides an annual scholarship to a woman at Missouri Southern State University, a success.
She used the knowledge and skills gleaned from her undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs to further literacy opportunities at Aparri Bible Seminary in the Philippines. In 2020 she and her family were invited to return to the Philippines where they were honored in a week- long celebration.
As Executive Director of Joplin NALA Read (Adult Literacy), she designed programs and mentored young women to develop reading skills. She presented at conferences focused on English as a Second Language and literacy at the local and state levels.
Numerous honors she has earned indicate the positive effects of Marjory’s contributions and highlight the respect she has earned locally, nationally, and internationally.
Diane Reid Adams is the recipient of the 2021 Missouri Southern State University “Spirit of Service Award”
She graduated from MSSU with a Bachelor of Science in Education, earned her Master of Arts degree from Missouri State University, and completed course work for her doctorate at Arkansas University.
Throughout the years, Diane has served on the P.E.O. Missouri State Board and was instrumental in development of Missouri P.E.O Outreach Fund, which supports senior citizens. Locally she has held numerous offices in P.E.O including president.
She has volunteered for Watered Gardens, the Joplin Firefighters Christmas for Kids, Joplin Police Department and served as past board member of Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity.
In April 2018, Diane entered public service with her election to the Joplin City Council. Following her election, she has worked with the Design Team of Downtown Joplin Alliance; on the Historic Preservation Commission; and on the Joplin Museum Board as Council liaison.
In AAUW, she helps raise funds for our annual Dorothea B. Hoover Scholarship administered through the MSSU Foundation.