Each year, the City of Fulton Human Rights Commission and Callaway County presents the Jane Bierdeman-Fike Humanitarian Award. The honor goes to a local woman who makes major contributions of their time, actions and dedication to social justice, environmental justice, economic equality, community building, education or embracing diversity. It has been awarded since 2013.
Jane Bierdeman-Fike was a Fulton resident who championed social and economic justice, as well as mental health issues.
Nominations will be accepted through November 22, 2019. The award will be selected by a panel of community leaders and announced at the Jane Bierdeman-Fike Humanitarian Award program on December 13, 2019. Anyone being nominated must be a resident, as well as work and/or volunteer in Fulton or Callaway County.
The 2019 award luncheon will be held at Fulton City Hall, 18 East 4th Street, on December 13. It will run from noon until 1 p.m. with food and drinks served to all in attendance.
| Previous Winners | ||||
| Year | Name | Year | Name | |
| 2013 | Nancy McCue | 2015 | Jerrie Bell | |
| 2016 | Suzanne Guerrant | 2017 | Nancy Hanson | |
| 2018 | Connie Cashion | 2019 | ||
2019 Jane Bierdeman-Fike Award Finalists
Sherry Brown-McBride
Nominated by Goldie Vaughn
Sherry is a very active member of our community who volunteers for various local organizations. She provides books for the “Up to Read” Sunday School program at the Guiding Light Baptist Church, where Sherry is a regular member. She assists with the give-away for the annual Senior Expo. Sherry is also involved with the local NAACP branch, local schools, and the Callaway County Library. Through her extensive and varied service, Sherry has helped to make our community a better place.
Glenda Fitch
Nominated by Dan Russell
Glenda is a nurse by trade, which is telling of her capacity to help those in need. She has used her career to improve the health and lives of countless people, along with helping them find access to necessities such as support, housing, food, mental health services, and other assistance. Glenda has been volunteering on the Board of Directors for a local Salvation Army branch, where she works diligently on fundraising efforts and using those donations for the greatest possible good. She is also committed to her family and to First Christian Church. Glenda is a compassionate and benevolent woman who enjoys helping others.
Nancy Lewis
Nominated by Darrell Dunlap
Nancy has been involved with several non-profits and organizations that serve the Fulton and Callaway County communities. She was the Executive Director of the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce from 1991 to 2012. She has also been very active in the development of Kingdom Days. Nancy’s many other volunteer efforts include Kiwanis, Friends of Churchill Memorial, Brick District, Court Street Methodist Church, Fulton Historical Society, and Court Street National Register. Although she has been active with so many honorable agencies, Nancy is perhaps best known for her ability to make people who come to our community feel welcomed and at home.
LaVonda Scott
Nominated by Lowe Cannell
In her professional life, LaVonda worked as a Section 8 Coordinator for Fulton Housing Authority for over 30 years, where she helped poverty-stricken individuals and families find a place to live. In her personal life, LaVonda devoted herself to worthy humanitarian efforts. In 1981, she was a pioneer in the creation of the West End Kanos drill team, a program designed to keep children out of trouble. LaVonda also helped local youth gain access to higher education by utilizing scholarship programs. She was also involved in her church and with the NAACP. Although she is no longer with us, LaVonda’s legacy of caring lives on. She will be remembered for her lasting generosity and compassion for others.
Mona Steffens
Nominated by Nancy Hanson
Mona is a retired middle school teacher whose passion for our community’s youth is making a difference. In the last few years, Mona has facilitated the development of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, or FCA, program to our local schools. The FCA program is a faith-based group that gives children the opportunity to meet and build friendships. In addition to bringing the FCA to our schools, Mona has developed a program called the “Fifth Quarter,” which provides a safe and fun place for students to go after home high school football games. Mona has also worked to organize groups of kids to rake leaves for the elderly and she teaches Sunday School. Mona’s compassion for our community’s youth is truly inspiring.
Dr. Elizabeth Wilson
Nominated by George Garner
In 1987, Jane Bierdeman-Fike established the Social Work degree program at William Woods University. Today, that same program is led by Dr. Elizabeth Wilson. The William Woods Social Work program requires each of its students to complete 500 hours of volunteer service in the Fulton and Callaway County area. The local agencies that have benefited from these volunteer hours include SERVE, CARDV, Fulton State Hospital, North Callaway and Fulton Public Schools, CMCA, Missouri School for the Deaf, and many others. Dr. Wilson has been an honorable Director of the William Woods University Social Work program and she has helped this community to carry on Jane Bierdeman-Fike’s legacy of responding to human need. Jane would be proud.
Printable Nomination Form
Printable forms can be picked up at Fulton City Hall, Callaway County Courthouse and the Callaway Chamber of Commerce. Forms should be returned to Fulton City Hall at 18 East 4th Street.
