12 women to be honored with leadership award

The Columbia Urban League Guild is honoring 12 area women with this year’s Guild Tower Leadership Award during a luncheon Saturday at the Capital City Club.

The award recognizes the women’s community contributions to the quality of life in the state as well as their support for their husbands’ efforts to fulfill leadership responsibilities in the Midlands.

“We are accustomed to seeing the accomplishments and impact of high profile leaders; however, for the most part, the role of their spouses is seldom acknowledged,” said Urban League president James T. McLawhorn Jr. “You will find the 2016 Tower Award recipients are career professionals themselves, yet they have impressive portfolios of community service, as well.”

Those being honored include Valerie Aiken (spouse of Charles Aiken), Deborah Breedlove (Lorenzo Breedlove), Victoria Dozier (Dr. John Dozier), Cynthia Hardy (James Hardy Jr.), Judge Michelle Howard (Harold “Puff” Howard), Vernell Jenkins (Chief Aubrey Jenkins), Edna Langley (Willis Langley), Sue McLeese (the late Donald G. “Ike” McLeese), Elaine Dowdy Melvin (James Melvin), Dr. Patricia Motes (Henry Motes), Patrick “Pat” Noble (Jerome Noble), Jacqueline Singleton (Jerome Singleton).

The Guild hopes the Tower Awards will also serve to uplift the importance of supportive families in our society.

“One of the keys to the success of these Tower Award honorees and their spouses has been their ability to work as a team to promote family stability and community service,” said Guild President Leslie Wilson.

If you go

The event is 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Capital City Club, 1201 Main St. #2500. For tickets or additional details, call Joan Scott at (803) 917-2873.

From Staff Reports

This story was originally published March 27, 2016 at 10:36 PM.