Douglas County ABWA Tree Dedication: Family and Friends Remember Joan Douglas

Douglasville, Ga. – Friends, family and members of the local business community will gather Thursday, November 10, 2011, at the Douglas County Courthouse for a tree dedication ceremony. The ceremony to honor Mrs. Joan Douglas will be conducted by the Douglas County Charter Chapter of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) at 6:30 p.m. on the south lawn.

Mrs. Douglas worked for the Douglas County Cooperative Extension Service for almost 30 years, starting in October 1962 and retiring as the director in 1993. While serving as a county agent, she started the Adult Sitter Program for elderly adults and the 4H Horse Program.

For more than 20 years, Joan Douglas was a member of the Douglas County ABWA. As a founding member, she helped establish the chapter in 1986 to support local business women, and she served on the board of directors. Mrs. Douglas was responsible for the chapter’s collaboration with the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville in starting the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, a fundraising event held each spring in Douglasville.

It was Mrs. Douglas’s sincere desire that the local organization continue to grow and provide networking and education opportunities for working women. The local chapter currently has 30 members.
 
Mrs. Douglas’s son, Joseph, will attend the dedication ceremony. 

American Business Women’s Association Awards Community Business Leaders (April 2011)
 
The Douglas County Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) recognized women business leaders at their annual awards banquet and ceremony on April 26, 2011. 

The keynote speaker for the event was Kali Boatright, President of the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce. Kali spoke about the variety of roles women shoulder in their families and occupations and she encouraged attendees to find balance in their lives and enjoyment in their careers.

The ceremony included a “Business Associate of the Year” award, which was presented to The Dinner A'Fare, Douglasville, Georgia. The award recognizes a key individual in the community who has supported their local ABWA chapter, women in business, and local charities.

Natalie Morgan was awarded a $2000 scholarship from The Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund, the scholarship arm of the ABWA -- one of the country's most highly respected grant and scholarship funds for women -- which has supported businesswomen for more than 50 years. The fund assists women pursuing advanced educational goals enabling them to achieve business and professional success.

The chapter chose current corresponding secretary Cathey Kuhn for the "Woman of the Year" award. The award was designed to recognize a member who has made notable contributions and outstanding achievements to their local ABWA chapter. Candy Yu, Treasurer, was awarded the "President's Award" by chapter president Lucie Castro.

Committee members Cathey Kuhn and Rhonda Silvis, were recognized for their participation on the Newsletter Committee, and Renee Wainwright was recognized for her participation on the Fundraising Committee. Other awards presented were Bliss Spa gift certificates to Marcita Scharnhorst and Rhonda Silvis for their extraordinary fundraising efforts.

The evening was capped off with the Chapter recognizing charter member Alice Griggs for her 25 years of service and loyalty to the Douglas County Chapter ABWA. 

The Douglas County Charter Chapter of the ABWA is part of a national network of businesswomen and was chartered in 1986. The national organization was formed as a non-profit organization in 1949 and now represents over 70,000 members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

April 20, 2011

Business women to laud local achievers by Stephanie Siegel with the Douglas Neighbor

March 16, 2011
Wonderland returns to Douglas by Stephanie Siegel with the Douglas Neighbor