Ada Edwards Laughlin Presentation 2014
Since the Ada Edwards Laughlin Award was established in the 1980’s, this chapter has chosen to bestow this most prestigious award only fifteen times. Several past recipients are here with us today—Sue Brinkama, Betty Sherfey, Jacquie Mahoney, Loie Johnson, Carol Holmes. The presentation of this award is decided by committee. It is only given when a candidate is nominated whose behind-the-scenes contributions to our Chapter are considered to be significant and which exemplify the attributes of Ada Edwards Laughlin. Ada was the right hand woman and often silent partner of Ann Banning, the woman who is credited with being the founder of Assistance League. Ada served as Vice President of Assistance League from its foundation in 1919 until her retirement in 1948. She was the person responsible for drawing up the original bylaws for our National organization, and was instrumental in outlining the policies for promoting and expanding Assistance League nationwide.
Those who worked with Ada said that her qualities of leadership, financial acumen, and concise, clear vision were coupled with an immense ability for detail. When Anne referred to Ada as Co-Founder of Assistance League, Ada would say “There is but one person who is Founder—Anne Banning. I am her administrator of ideas and money.”
Ada Laughlin was happy to stay in the background. Her contributions and gifts were always behind the scenes and quietly done. Our recipient exemplifies many attributes of Ada Edwards Laughlin: Intelligent, detail oriented, good with money, reliable, and enthusiastic. She is a calm, “no problem”, get the job done type of person.
Our recipient joined our Chapter in 2005 as an Associate member. She has helped us in so many ways over the past nine years, always giving her best to us. She has donated countless hours each year to the Chapter despite holding a full time job. Her talents have saved our Chapter a great deal of money over the years, she has been an available resource to our Treasurer, and she has also been a remarkable communications expert.
I think we can all agree that in an organization such as ours, communication is the key to our success. It is imperative that we communicate not only with one another, but also with those who support us. Our recipient has brought us into the age of modern technology—some of us with some degree of reluctance— by moving us away from paper communications and into the world of electronic communications. Our newsletter arrives without fail each month looking professional and always full of needed information due to the efforts of this young woman. We rely on our recipient’s email blasts to remind us of important meetings and events within our Chapter as well to as to notify us of necessary news to support one other in times of need.
As if that were not enough, our recipient has become invaluable to our Golf Tournament Committee by sharing her computer wizardry. Each year, she creates the layouts for our golf brochure, our invitations, our programs, and our course maps, saving the Chapter the expense of hiring a designer. Our recipient is unflappable and unfazed by late submissions. She somehow just makes perfection happen with a calm smile. Her creations are beautiful and professional and somehow visually demonstrate the pride we feel for our organization.
It is always a treat to see her when she can arrange her time to attend a luncheon, a fundraiser, or join us in working at the Golf Tournament. Last year we thought we might not see her in May, as she had other important business to attend to, but true to form, she managed to make Assistance League a priority and work our Golf Tournament one week before giving birth to our very special and beautiful Assistance League baby, Kara Louise. She has added so much to our Chapter by her devotion to us and support of what we do. Her impact has touched all of us—always in positive, thoughtful, generous, enthusiastic, and most appreciated ways. Quite impressive given that she has never been a voting member.
I am honored to present the Ada Edwards Laughlin award to our dear friend, Kellie Claflin.