Spirit of Dakota Award
South Dakota's Premier Women's Award
Established October 1987

____________________________________________________________

Statement of Purpose & Criteria
The Spirit of Dakota Award is an annual honor bestowed each fall by the Spirit of Dakota Award Society at a state-wide event at the Crossroads Hotel & Huron Event Center. The Spirit of Dakota award is given to:

• An outstanding South Dakota woman who has demonstrated leadership qualities and has been successful and admired in her community and state.
• A woman with roots deep in Dakota whose courage and strength of character have helped develop her family and community.
• A woman who has represented social, cultural, and education advancement for others.
• This award is not Mother of the Year, nor Teacher of the Year, nor categorized but rather a recognition of those outstanding women who have been the symbols of all that we are proud of in our Prairie Women.
• The nominee does not need to be a native of South Dakota, but must be a current, living resident of the state.

History of Spirit of Dakota Award
The nine foot bronze sculpture "Spirit of Dakota" which stands at the entrance of the Crossroads Hotel & Huron Event Center, is the source for the state-wide Spirit of Dakota Award. Dale Claude Lamphere, nationally recogonized sculptor and artist, is the creator. This sculpture of a pioneer woman balanced against the wind was unveiled and dedicated in October 1987 by the citizens of Huron and is the unique possession of this community.

South Dakota's Premier Women's Award
This prestigious Spirit of South Dakota award plaque is an outstanding piece of art; each indivually created by renowned sculptor, Dale Claude Lamphere, and treasured by each honoree. A one-foot bronze oval is graced with the pioneer woman sculpted upon its facade. To further illuminate the award, the bronze oval is mounted on smokey black lucite which is etched with the award inscription. The final element of the honor is an 18x20 burnished gold wooden frame which securely hold the cherished woman.

Do you know a South Dakota woman that is worthy of this prestigious award?    

Click here to download a nomination form or contact either the Spirit of Dakota Award Society or the Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau at the addresses below for an informational brochure and a nomination form.

Spirit of Dakota Award Event - First Saturday in October - Huron Event Center

Nomination forms and informational brochures may be obtained from:

Spirit of Dakota Award Society
PO Box 280
Huron, SD 57350

or

Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau
15 4th Street SW
Huron, SD  57350

Nominations Close August 1

Please mail nominations to:

Spirit of Dakota Award Society
PO Box 280
Huron, SD 57350

 

       2007 Spirit of Dakota Award Winner  

June James - Hazel

June James mission in life was, "To do something in life which I truly cared about....I wanted a career whereby life would be better for those I worked with; and they would experience growth, change and bettement."  June has done more than that in all she has endeavored.  June James Lives the life of the pioneer woman that we honor with the Spirit of Dakota Award.

June was born and raised on a farm near Hazel, SD.  After completing her degree at Westmar College, she taught Home Economics in Montana and Wisconsin.  She returned home and married the love of her life, Keith, and became an active farm wife and mother to two daughters, Linda and Robin.  June became the Home Economist for Hamilin County Extension Service for eight years and for Codington County for 23 years.

June took on a leadership role on both state and national levels.  June has been President of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educators.  She has gone to Washington, D.C. to tell South Dakota's story to the Department of Agriculture, working for colutions to rural America's problems, and trying to better lives on the home front.  June was always the professional in every sense of the word.  She looked the part and acted the part, but she also was the active part with her never-ending work ethic.  She always finished the job well done.

June worked hard to improve life for both children and adults on the job through active involvement in 4-H and Extension Programs,k but also in church, both locally and district and conference levels.  She organized and coordinated seminars which dealth with after school child care.  She sent to work at the local, state and national levels supporting the Headstart Program.

June retired in 1995, but has not retired from life.  Keith and June still farm the same Century Farm near Hazel but take more time for fishing and attending community and social events.  They were awarded the "Fans of the Year" by the local school district.  June still writes a monthloy column and gives workshops and presentations to groups dealing with aging, health, and the world around us.

Through all June has accomplished, she has put family first being there as a daughter, wife, mother, and sister.  Opening her home for family dinners, reunions and babysitting grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  June has been most gracious.  She also cares for the elderly family members as needed.  She is planning her mother's 100 birthday party this month.

June james has been a role model and memtor to many in South Dakota and beyond through her dedicated service and example.  Therefore, it is with great pride and much honor that we present Jun James South Dakota's Premier Women's Award - the 2007 Spirit of Dakota Award.

 

                                                                    2007 Nominees

Margaret H. Holmes, Doland; June James, Hazel; Shirley Ann Klebsch, Highmore; Sheila Letcher, Mitchell; Dorothee Pike, Lake Preston; Susan Stahl, Bruce.

Spirit of Dakota Distinguished Honorees
1987- *Mrs. Winifred Lorentson, Miller
1988-*Dr. Jeanie K. Sherman, Madison
1989-*Florence Bruhn, Watertown
1990-*Jeanette Lusk, Huron
1991-*Dorothy (D.J.) Cline, Brookings
1992-No Award Presentaion
1993-Ruth Ziolkowski, Custer
1994-Sylvia Henkin., Sioux Falls
1995-Irene Fisher Coon, Sioux Falls,
1996-Hildreth Twostars Venegas, Sisseton
1997-Lorraine Huntimer, Oldham
1998-Mary Lou Tripp, Belle Fourche
1999-Marsha Sumpter, Philip
2000-Donna Schipke, Newell
2001-Phyllis White Eyes DeCory, Rapid City
2002-Virginia Keil Lardinois, Huron
2003-Patricia Fawcett, Ree Heights
2004-Alice Kundert, Mound City
2005-No Award Presentation
2006 - Janice Manolis, Huron
2007 - June James - Hazel

Spirit of Dakota Selection Commission

Judy Barbour - Rapid City

Coral Bonnemann - Brookings

Glenna Fouberg - Aberdeen

Jean Hunhoff - Yankton

Adele Jacobson - Huron

Suzette Kirby - Sioux Falls

First Lady Jean Rounds - Pierre

Tona Rozum - Mitchell

Marsha Sumpter - Kadoka

Judy Trzynka - Watertown

Bev Wright - Turton