Reflecting society in 1905, Rotary 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. 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. The 16th-annual Women in Leadership Award winner, Diane Osborne, will be honored at the Rotary Club of Edina’s May 11 meeting.
Osborne, Nurse Manager of the Intensive Care Unit at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital, started a program to honor organ donors and their families. When the time comes for the donor to travel to the operating room for the donation, there is an “Honor Walk” – an activity to honor the donor one last time whereby all present in the ICU line the hallway in silent tribute as the patient is wheeled by in their bed. While the donor is in the operating room, a flag flies outside the hospital so that all who pass by the busy intersection of Minnesota Highway 62 and France Avenue see the flag and know someone is giving the ultimate gift.
Following Osborne’s receipt of the award, the club will hear from a dynamic female leader.