Women in Leadership Award to be presented at May 29 Rotary Club of Edina meeting

The Rotary Club of Edina is proud to celebrate Women in Leadership Day at the Thursday, May 29, meeting. The sixth-annual "Chrysanne Manoles Women in Leadership Award" will be presented to the 2014 honoree.

Reflecting society in 1905, the Rotary organization was limited to male members and remained so officially until 1989, when the Council on Legislation, Rotary’s parliament, voted to eliminate the male-only provision, opening up membership to qualified women across the world. However, the forward-thinking Rotary Club of Edina welcomed its first female member, Chrysanne Manoles, a year earlier in 1988. Manoles continues to be active in Rotary as a member of the Rotary Club of Orono in the western suburbs.

In Manoles’ honor and to celebrate the work of women in the community, the Rotary Club of Edina established an annual women’s leadership award in 2008. Previous winners include Dr. Laurel Wills, Ann Byrne, Donna Tilsner, Katey Taylor and Ruth Valgemae.

Nominees cannot be current Rotarians and must live, work or volunteer in Edina. Female nominees must demonstrate Rotary’s “Four Way Test” of the things we think, say or do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Nominations were submitted earlier this month, and the Club then picked the 2014 winner. 

After the Women in Leadership Award is given out at the meeting, Marci Mattson, executive director of the Edina Historical Society, will be the program speaker. She will represent last year’s award winner, Ruth Valgamae, who received the award in large part for her work on the quasquicentennial celebration. 

Join us for this important event recognizing the amazing work women do in our community.