Women's Award
Women's Award
Dear Bexley Community Members,
Since 1935, the Bexley Women’s Club has served our special community with a three-part mission: community outreach, scholarship, and social services.
We are proud to continue our Women's Awards Program, which we began in 2021, to recognize the important contributions and achievements of women and youth in our community.
Who Is This Award For?
The Bexley Women’s Club Women’s Award recognizes women and youth in our community who work to benefit others, whether through community outreach, social service, or scholarship service. This includes professionals who go the extra mile, as well as volunteers who are working to improve our community.
Judging Criteria
The degree to which their services/ actions have made a lasting or meaningful contribution or impact on their community - 40%
The length and degree of their service(s) – 20%
The extent to which their service or action might be considered above and beyond the call of duty – 20%
The extent to which their action would be recognized and valued by their peers/ community leaders- 20%
Featured Artists of the Year
View the results from past years of the Womens Award
This Year's Featured Artist of the Year is Abby Feinknopf
Abby is a self-taught mixed-media artist. In 2015, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and says, "when I finished treatment in 2016, I went back to my studio and started painting, I painted every day, and I truly believe that the act of making art every day and the power of bold, vibrant color is what helped me heal". Abby is from Wheeling, WV originally. She graduated from West Virginia University with a B.A. in English. She is a member of Ohio Art League (OAL) and the National League of American Pen Women (ANLAPW), where she was the first NLAPW Ohio Charter member to earn dual membership as a writer and artist. *
In Addition, Abby is helping our community through the decompress through collage class. The class will lead each participant through a creative process to produce a colorful collage art piece. The goal is to "melt" away your day's anxiety and stress.
* From Bexley Art Library
This Year's Featured Artist of the Year is Abby Feinknopf
Abby is a self-taught mixed-media artist. In 2015, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and says, "when I finished treatment in 2016, I went back to my studio and started painting, I painted every day, and I truly believe that the act of making art every day and the power of bold, vibrant color is what helped me heal". Abby is from Wheeling, WV originally. She graduated from West Virginia University with a B.A. in English. She is a member of Ohio Art League (OAL) and the National League of American Pen Women (ANLAPW), where she was the first NLAPW Ohio Charter member to earn dual membership as a writer and artist. *
In Addition, Abby is helping our community through the decompress through collage class. The class will lead each participant through a creative process to produce a colorful collage art piece. The goal is to "melt" away your day's anxiety and stress.
* From Bexley Art Library
Previous Winners
View the results from past years of the Womens Award
Lori Ann is known for her relentless support and help with Move to Prosper to equip families with the tools they need to flourish. Move to prosper is a 3 year program that empowers low-wage families and their children to gain economic security and improve their mental and physical health. She is changing the lives of many one family at a time.
Addison is very involved in service at school, and within the community. She combines her passion for service, athletics, the environment, and education to help others. Some examples; she has volunteered at community events such as Green Bexley, and Bexley High School Environmental Club. Her passion has taken her to Ohio Dominican where she tutors ESL students. There is much, much more, resulting in over 250 hours of volunteer time over the past 3 years.
As a longtime volunteer, Barb created Bexley Recreation’s popular Harvest Festival. She developed and manages their nature program and educational plant signage for Jeffrey Woods. She regularly posts on social media photos of the beauty and educational opportunities at Jeffrey Woods. Barb has created an Advisory Committee for Jeffrey Mansion and Park. In addition to her time, she used her artistic photography talents to create a Jeffery Park wildlife calendar and donated the proceeds to Bexley Parks and Recreation. In addition Barb launched a fundraising campaign to restore the loved Bexley little boy observing a turtle sculpture at the mansion.
Elizabeth is an enthusiastic and passionate sustainability resident who is focusing on her desire to save us from ourselves. She is instrumental in the household food waste collection program, reinstituted our city-wide plastic bag ban and implemented a mandatory recycling program for businesses and apartments. in addition she worked with the city during Covid and has a passion to help others.
Volunteerism and leadership on the Environmental Sustainability Council, with Green Bexley. She leads and educates others by her example and passion for our environment.
Business owner in Columbus and the daughter of a Holocaust Survivor. She is very passionate about Holocaust Education and awareness.
Founder of Birdie Light, a national initiative to fight the catastrophic increase in fentanyl deaths in young people, after the tragic and unexpected death of her son Eli. This initiative includes educational and actionable activities to prevent such tragic losses.
For going out her way to make the world a better place. Erin has volunteered for several organizations, among them the Fruit of the Vine Community Center, the New Albany Food Shelter, and the Cat Welfare Association. She is known in the high school as someone who goes out of her way to make others feel supported and included.
nominated by BWC Women’s Award Committee
for her distinct contribution to Ohioans’ public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
nominated by Jane Baldwin
for her lifetime work on Columbus Junior Theatre of the Arts and Bexley Historical Society.
nominated by Monique Lampke
for her dedicated work on Bexley City Schools COVID Task Force.
nominated by Marie Hurt, Gavin Levine, John Koetz, Jan Zupnick
for her longstanding work on Rotary Youth Exchange.
nominated by Brooke Wojcik
for her variety of volunteer work through Bexley Middle School Cheerleading team including Down Syndrome Association’s annual walk.
nominated by Mark Ritter
for her numerous hours creating and working on the "Books For Bedtime" project.
nominated by Ben Kessler, Mayor of Bexley
for their dedicated work at Developmental Assets Resource Network to help provide desperately needed food and financial support to impacted children and families.
Lori Ann is known for her relentless support and help with Move to Prosper to equip families with the tools they need to flourish. Move to prosper is a 3 year program that empowers low-wage families and their children to gain economic security and improve their mental and physical health. She is changing the lives of many one family at a time.
Addison is very involved in service at school, and within the community. She combines her passion for service, athletics, the environment, and education to help others. Some examples; she has volunteered at community events such as Green Bexley, and Bexley High School Environmental Club. Her passion has taken her to Ohio Dominican where she tutors ESL students. There is much, much more, resulting in over 250 hours of volunteer time over the past 3 years.
As a longtime volunteer, Barb created Bexley Recreation’s popular Harvest Festival. She developed and manages their nature program and educational plant signage for Jeffrey Woods. She regularly posts on social media photos of the beauty and educational opportunities at Jeffrey Woods. Barb has created an Advisory Committee for Jeffrey Mansion and Park. In addition to her time, she used her artistic photography talents to create a Jeffery Park wildlife calendar and donated the proceeds to Bexley Parks and Recreation. In addition Barb launched a fundraising campaign to restore the loved Bexley little boy observing a turtle sculpture at the mansion.
Elizabeth is an enthusiastic and passionate sustainability resident who is focusing on her desire to save us from ourselves. She is instrumental in the household food waste collection program, reinstituted our city-wide plastic bag ban and implemented a mandatory recycling program for businesses and apartments. in addition she worked with the city during Covid and has a passion to help others.
Volunteerism and leadership on the Environmental Sustainability Council, with Green Bexley. She leads and educates others by her example and passion for our environment.
Business owner in Columbus and the daughter of a Holocaust Survivor. She is very passionate about Holocaust Education and awareness.
Founder of Birdie Light, a national initiative to fight the catastrophic increase in fentanyl deaths in young people, after the tragic and unexpected death of her son Eli. This initiative includes educational and actionable activities to prevent such tragic losses.
For going out her way to make the world a better place. Erin has volunteered for several organizations, among them the Fruit of the Vine Community Center, the New Albany Food Shelter, and the Cat Welfare Association. She is known in the high school as someone who goes out of her way to make others feel supported and included.
(Pictured From Left to Right)
Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler, Scholastic Award recipient and BWC’s Member of Distinction, Edie Mae Herrel, BWC President Akisa Fukuzawa
nominated by BWC Women’s Award Committee
for her distinct contribution to Ohioans’ public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
nominated by Jane Baldwin
for her lifetime work on Columbus Junior Theatre of the Arts and Bexley Historical Society.
nominated by Monique Lampke
for her dedicated work on Bexley City Schools COVID Task Force.
nominated by Marie Hurt, Gavin Levine, John Koetz, Jan Zupnick
for her longstanding work on Rotary Youth Exchange.
nominated by Brooke Wojcik
for her variety of volunteer work through Bexley Middle School Cheerleading team including Down Syndrome Association’s annual walk.
nominated by Mark Ritter
for her numerous hours creating and working on the "Books For Bedtime" project.
nominated by Ben Kessler, Mayor of Bexley
for their dedicated work at Developmental Assets Resource Network to help provide desperately needed food and financial support to impacted children and families.
