First Posted: 4/11/2012

The General Federation of Women’s Clubsprovides awards for states and clubs, but the Jennie Award is the only national award that “singles out and honors individual members for personal excellence,” according to Carlene A. Garner, the federation’s international president. Waverly resident Linda Young received a letter dated March 20, from Garner, notifying her that she is the 2012 Jennie Award winner from the Middle Atlantic Region.

In 2011, Young began her journey to this award locally with a nomination by her fellow members in the Abington Heights Civic League. Recipients are nominated based upon commitment to club, community and family. The state winner is selected by an outside panel of judges comprised of leading citizens. In June 2011, Young won the state award and will be honored, along with other nominees, in Lancaster in May. The four Middle Atlantic Region state winners from N.Y., N.J., Del. and Pa., were honored at a conference in September 2011; judges narrowed honorees to two then selected one of the two winners from each of the eight international regions of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Young was selected as the winner from the Middle Atlantic Region.

Young said, “I think that is the most amazing thing. I wouldn’t have won this (award) without this club. This club is the most active, caring and concerned group of women that I could imagine. Collectively, we are involved in so many things,” said Young. “I’ve never been honored for anything like this in my life and what a feeling.”

Since 1975, Young has been a member of the Abington Heights Civic League, a non-profit community -oriented organization. In 2011 she was presented with the league’s Dedicated Club Woman Award for her contributions to the club. The Abington Heights Civic League Clubhouse and Dance Academy are located in the Colburn Complex, 115 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit. The league includes 76 members.

“The Abington Heights Civic League, Inc. supports our community through service, volunteerism and fundraising, and Linda has demonstrated her dedication to the club’s mission by serving in many capacities, including holding the offices of President twice and Treasurer, and by spearheading many important club projects throughout her years as a member. This past year alone, in addition to her position as General Federation of Women’s Clubs Pa. State Secretary, she has served as Chairman of the …AHCL, Inc., Civic League’s Home Life department, overseeing the annual Kindergarten Vision Screening program, and the Adopt a Family Holiday Project. She helps to keep our club ‘on-track’ by serving on important bylaws, audit and strategic planning committees,” said league Past President and Leadership Chairman Colleen Gilboy.

She added, “Linda is extremely civic-minded and in addition to her many club activities she serves other local organizations in various capacities. The “Forever Young Fishing Derby” is just one more example of her vision and ability to network with these organizations to generate interest and support for a project that is beneficial to the entire community.” Young established the annual fishing derby in memory of her late husband, Lawrence E. “Bud” Young, and the project is supported by the Abington Heights Civic League’s Conservation Community Service Program.

Young has two daughters, Tammi and Dawn.

Sherry Wellman, GFWC Jennie Award Chairman, said of the award, “The Jennie Award is the highest individual award bestowed by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs . As the Jennie Award winner from the GFWC Mid-Atlantic Region, Linda will be honored June 16 at the Transforming our World Gala during the GFWC International Convention in Charlotte, N.C. Linda Young demonstrates the spirit of devotion to community, family and club epitomized by GFWC founder Jane Cunningham Crowley, who wrote under the pen name ‘Jennie June.'”