Hirner-Gardner Named SBW’s Woman of the Year

The 2024 Sedalia Business Women's annual Public Relations Dinner was held Thursday night at the Shrine Building, 1375 Elm Hills Blvd.

Donna Hirner-Gardner was named the SBW's Woman of the Year. Donna was taken totally by surprise. Her mouth dropped open when she saw close to a dozen family members appear at the event as she was receiving the award.

“I tell you what, my children knew about this at the chicken dinner, and didn’t tell me a thing about it. It was like what’s going on here?” And then when (Committee Chair Joyce Grinstead) started naming off Donna’s accomplishments, she realized, “Oh my gosh, that’s me! And all these lovely ladies and everybody here wanted me to be Woman of the Year.”

Donna went on to explain that she is a breast cancer survivor.

“So this is great!” she said.

Landmann Title Company, Inc., was named the 2024 SBW Employer of the Year. Stephanie Wooldridge accepted the award.

Wooldridge thanked the club and said it was very surprising an unexpected to be named employer of the year. She was officially notified two weeks prior to the dinner.

Wooldridge noted in her acceptance speech that the workforce has changed significantly over the past 15 years.

“As a small business, it has been a challenge to be able to remain competitive, not only in wages, but with benefits, with some of our larger employers here in the area,” Wooldridge said.

“One of the things that I really hold tight to is treating all of the employees we have as one of my family members. Sometimes that can be a negative. But for the most part it is always a positive. Every single person that works for us or has worked for us in the past, is just like one of my family members,” Wooldridge stated.

She went on to say that most employees take part in the benefits that the Landmann Title Company offers. “We find that the packages that we have available are pretty fair, and somewhat competitive, compared with some of the bigger employers in town,’ Wooldridge said. “Working in a small business has so many things that are rewarding and being in the industry that we’re in, the positives certainly outweigh the negatives and the long hours. Being a part of some people’s biggest investments in their entire lives, buying and selling Real Estate, really provides a lot of emotional gratification, both on their side and on our side.”

Bobbi Wilson also presented Wooldridge with a $100 check from the club to be given to the foundation of her choosing.

Birthday Blessings was the SBW's Service Project. Jake Rigdon accepted the award for the group.

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Betty Blackwell, a member since January 31, 1966, was presented with the SBW's Lifetime membership Award.

Blackwell, who was named SBW’s Woman of the Year in 1983, joked that she joined the club while she was still in Kindergarten.

Robin Balke, the SBW's 2022-2023 Woman of the Year, gave an oral history of the organization.

All the guests were served a tasty beef brisket meal with cheesy potatoes and green beans. Three NHS members from Smith-Cotton and two Smithton High School students helped serve those in attendance Thursday night.

The SBW’s 44th annual chicken dinner, held in October at the same venue, generated enough money to donate $600 to six organizations.

Richard DeFord sang the National Anthem beautifully to start the night's festivities.

In the top photo: Donna Hirner-Gardner, right. reacts after being presented with the SBW's Woman of the Year plaque by Joyce Grinstead, left, Woman of the Year Committee Chair, on Thursday night.