The Woman of the Year Award, established in 1973, is our chapter’s highest honor—it's like a lifetime achievement award that represents cumulative contributions that underscore Theta’s ideals. The Woman of the Year is not only an active member of our chapter, but she has shown significant service to both Kappa Alpha Theta and her community over an extended period of time.
Nominations for Woman of the Year are accepted throughout the year, and the winner is chosen by committee. Our Woman of the Year has the honor of wearing the heirloom badge of Edith Pratt, Beta Omega/Colorado College 1937, until the next recipient is announced.
To nominate a member to be our next Woman of the Year, contact Katie Wilkins.
2023 Woman of the Year: Katie Wilkins
Our fraternity membership requires an open mind and a generous heart, a patient nature, a quiet pride, and a humble spirit. It demands loyalty as well as your labor, your hand as well as your heart. Katie Wilkins has given her labors and her heart. She’s stepped in to lead when others shied away. It is no wonder why she has been our Caring Chair for so many years.
Here are just a few of the ways Katie supports our community:
-Katie has been a girl scout leader for over 10 years.
-She was president of not one but three parent teacher child organizations (Cherry Hills Village Elementary, West Middle School, and Cherry Creek High School). She spent 15 years on those schools’ executive boards.
-She has spent over 16 years, and is still active, with the Young President Organization.
-She chaired the Central City Opera Opening Night and the Yellow Rose Ball while supporting the Central City Opera for over 15 years.
-She’s been a member of the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation for 6 years.
-She has taken on leadership roles with both the Denver Ballet Guild and Cherry Creek High School Marching Band Parent Association.
-Most recently, she became a board member of the 4 Mile Historic Park, after 11 years of volunteering for the organization.
She has received multiple Volunteer of the Year awards from several organizations, and yet she still remains humble.
Past Recipients
Woman of the Year Award
2022 - Patti Theil
2021 - Nancy Ives
2020 - Leigh Plue
2019 - Shera Eddy
2018 - Val Lunka
2017 - Missy Eliot
2016 - Sheri DeCoste
2015 - Allison Radcliffe
2014 - Elizabeth Metz
2013 - Karen Olson
2012 - Caren Stahmer
2011 - Mary Osgood-Plunkett
2010 - Jenny Hock
2009 - Bonnie McMullen
2008 - Kathleen Markey
2007 - Betty Dysart
2006 - Marilyn Blanton
2005 - Scottie Iverson
2004 - Jill Pedicord Peterson
2003 - Stacy Hayes
2002 - Edie Bell
2001 - Cathy Price
2000 - Kendy Cusick-Rindone
1999 - Winnie Ingalls
1998 - Gloria Siekmeier
1997 - Jackie Kremers
1996 - Lydia Troxler
1995 - Lynn Dexter
1994 - Carolyn Cusick
1993 - Nan Thompson
1992 - Gale Van Ort
1991 - Gail Karsian
1990 - Shirley Smith
1989 - Nancy Aitken
1988 - Ardie Boswell
1987 - Gene Koelbel
1986 - Helen Mundy
1985 - Connie Albright
1984 - Linda Houston
1983 - Billie Jackson
1982 - Carol Spensley
1981 - Mary Grace Washburn
1980 - Alice Swanson
1979 - Dorie Anderl
1978 - Evelyn Cass
1977 - Josephine Stansfield
1976 - Gladys Bell
1975 - Martha Fry Macomber
1974 - Margaret Cunningham
1973 - Betty Portner
The Inspirational Theta Award was first announced at the 1993 Founders Day celebration. This award is given to the member who best exemplifies the spirit of Theta through her dedication and service to our chapter and/or the Fraternity, who inspires others by her example, and whose contributions have made a difference to our chapter and our sisterhood. The Theta who receives the most nominations by her sisters is the winner.
Our Inspirational Theta has the honor of wearing a special badge bordered by emeralds and pearls that was given to our chapter by the Fraternity when we received the Founders Award in 1992.
To nominate a member to be our next Inspirational Theta, contact Joanna Kadis.
2023 Inspirational Theta: Joanna Kadis
Joanna Kadis is one of those people who is always doing a ton of work in the background. She is often not recognized for all the work she does, and she is humble and never looking for that recognition; she is just happy to help. She has been a loyal member of this chapter for many years, and she is truly a light in my life. She brings positivity and energy into every room she enters. Part of my enjoyment of participating on our board is because I know she will also be there in our meetings and at our events.
Joanna is truly devoted to Theta. She has served on the Denver Alumnae Chapter (DAC) board in multiple positions for many years and always brings her very best. She has found a special passion for Service and has been our VP Service for multiple years now. She has put a focus on service being a year-long activity, instead of only focusing on it in October as part of our Kappa Alpha Theta Day of Service activities. She has paid particular attention to how we can support our local CASA (our national philanthropy) throughout the year, finding a variety of volunteer opportunities in which members can participate.
As I noted, we received many nominations for Joanna for our Inspirational Theta Award. Here are some of the things our sisters said about Joanna:
“I remember meeting this Theta at a Theta event and thinking, she’s going to do great things! Joanna has consistently shown us faith, hope and love throughout the years. She is solution-oriented and a highly motivated board member.”
“She is a servant leader who is selfless in her leadership.”
“She is a gifted volunteer with a vision for the future. Her can-do attitude inspires others and helps support our chapter interests and goals. She understands that good leadership is not a trumpet call to self-importance but an opportunity to serve.”
“She is loyal and has a willingness to go above and beyond the call to duty.”
“She is a leader who transforms the world into a better place through her career in mental health and her passion for service with the Denver Alumnae Chapter.”
Past Recipients
Inspirational Theta Award
2022 - Mary Ellen Fitzsimonds
2021 - Leigh Miller
2020 - Jill Colbeck
2019 - Leslie Nissen
2018 - Alissa M. Trumbull
2017 - Martha Doughtie
2016 - Kelli Kelsall
2015 - Shannon Gross
2014 - Sarah Hittner
2013 - Leigh Plue
2012 - Leslie Franklin
2011 - Shera Eddy
2010 - Allison Radcliffe
2009 - Gail Karsian
2008 - Edie Bell
2007 - Jenny Hock
2006 - Connie Albright
2005 - Melissa Lee
2004 - Sally Pistilli
2003 - Kathy Fuller
2002 - Gloria Siekmeier
2001 - Margaret Baker
2000 - Kathleen Markey
1999 - Kendy Cusick-Rindone
1998 - Sherla Alberola
1997 - Jill Pedicord Peterson
1996 - Sue Giovanini & Patti Theil
1995 - Jane Stout
1994 - Stacy Hayes
1993 - Allison Ratkovich
Among all Greek alumnae in metro Denver, three are selected each year by Denver Area Panhellenic to receive the organization’s prestigious Alumnae Achievement, Woman of the Year, Panhellenic Spirit , and Emerging Leader awards for service to their Greek organizations and the larger community. The following Thetas have been recognized with these honors:
Alumnae Achievement Award
Recognizes the honoree's extensive community service to local civic, cultural, charitable, and/or faith-based organizations, in combination with service to her own Greek organization
2020 - Jill Pedicord Peterson
2017 - Missy Eliot
Woman of the Year Award
Recognizes the honoree's extensive service to her own Greek organization, often including service at the district, national, and/or international level, and may reflect longtime service to Denver Area Panhellenic
2019 - Mary Ellen Fitzsimonds
2016 - Jenny Hock
2013 - Kendy Cusick-Rindone
2012 - Kathleen Markey
2011 - Scottie Taylor Iverson
1976 - Gladys Coulette Bell
1975 - Martha Frye Macomber
Panhellenic Spirit Award
Recognizes a current Council delegate for her outstanding service/commitment to Denver Area Panhellenic
2019 - Leigh Plue
2014 - Jenny Hock
Emerging Leader Award
Recognizes a sorority alumna 35 years of age or under for her achievements and involvement with alumnae and collegiate Panhellenic and member organizations and career and community involvement
