BOYKINS
Linda Beatty, a member of the Tarrara Women’s Club in Boykins, was awarded the Jennie Award for her commitment to family, community and service to the club.

The Jennie Award ­— named for Jennie Crowley, the founder of the first women’s club in 1894 — is the only top-level award given by the General Federation of Women’s Club that recognizes an individual for their achievements.

Established in 2006, the Jennie Award is given at the end of every two-year administration period. The candidates are nominated by their local clubs and vetted by the state-level branch of the GWFC. Each state is allowed to advance one woman to the regional level. The GWFC splits the United States into eight regions and each region selects two women to move forward for final consideration. An independent council reviews the nomination forms and the testimony of each judge before making the last judgment.

“This year one of the independent judges – who have nothing to do with women’s club – came out and said, ‘How can I join a club?’” Beatty sad.

The review board selects one winner from each multi-state region, eight in total.

“There are eight of us in the whole nation walking around with Olympic-sized medals,” Beatty said.

There are 85,000 members in the GWFC worldwide. Beatty traveled to the GWFC’s annual convention in Baltimore, Maryland, last weekend to accept the award.

“It was quite an honor, especially because the state of Virginia has never had a national winner before,” she said. “I was born and raised in Boykins and I’ve lived there all my life. Community is very important to me.”

Activities and accomplishments listed on Beatty’s award nomination form include the Boykins Community Calendar fundraiser, the annual Boykins Christmas parade and holding all offices of the Boykins Junior Women’s Club, as well all executive offices of the GFWC Virginia branch. Beattty has also been on the board of directors for multiple organizations, including the Genieve Women’s Shelter, the United Way and Southampton Academy. She is also active in the Boykins Lions Club, the Boykins Ladies Auxiliary and the Boykins Town Council.