VALDOSTA —
A Valdosta woman has received the highest honor a clubwoman can receive from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs at its 121st annual convention in Charlotte, N.C.
Jeanette Coody, well-known in the community for her church and club activities and former work at Levi Strauss & Company, was presented the Jennie Award for the Southern Region by GFWC International President Carlene Garner. The regional winners are automatically national winners because an overall winner is not chosen.
The winners were announced in March, but did not receive their award until the GFWC annual convention in June.
“It was one of the most beautiful things in my life,” Coody said Monday. “It was the culmination of 43 years of club work.”
Coody said it was her father, who taught her to work hard.
“I’ve never wanted to be medicore in anything I did,” said Coody, who will turn 90 in September.
As a Power Point presentation highlighted her many achievements, when her 72 years of perfect Sunday School attendance was mentioned, the crowd rose to their feet and clapped for her. Coody stepped forward, lifted her hand, and said, “To God be the glory.”
The GFWC Jennie Award is named in honor of GFWC’s founder Jane Cunningham Croly, who wrote for national newspapers under the pseudonym, Jennie June.
The award highlights “extraordinary” women who “epitomize her spirit of independence, courage and persistence in purpose through their roles as volunteers within their clubs, elsewhere in the community, and as members of a family or extended family.”
Attending the convention in support of Coody were her nephew, his wife and daughter, Ray and Angie Williams and Shelby, of Tallahassee, Fla.; and four members of Azalea City Woman’s in Valdosta, of which Coody is president.
“I am so grateful for the support of my woman’s club,” Coody said.
At the international convention, the Azalea City Woman’s Club honored Coody with a necklace with a GFWC insignia for her work done through the Valdosta club.
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Jeanette Coody, right, accepts the Jennie Award from GFWC International President Carlene Garner. Submitted photo
Discussion
Coody receives national honor
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