Greenville, SC – The Junior League of Greenville (JLG) is proud to announce a historic first in its 95-year history: the recognition of a mother-daughter duo for their exceptional service and commitment to the League’s Mission.

Lori Presnell Center transferred to JLG from the Junior League of Knoxville in 1991. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Lori brought her passion for leadership and service to Greenville, continuing the impactful work she began in Knoxville. Her previous roles include Advisor to the Board, Community Vice President, Membership Outreach Chair, and Active Advisor. Upon joining JLG, Lori quickly became an active presence, volunteering as a chaperone for Pendleton Place field trips and serving as a Sustaining Advisor to various Committees. She currently serves as the Regional Practice Administrator for Bon Secours St. Francis.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Kirby Center Frair joined JLG in 2015. A dedicated educator, Kirby holds a Bachelor’s degree from Winthrop University and a Master’s in Education from Anderson University. She currently teaches elementary school in the Greenville County School District. Her volunteer service has included roles such as Ronald McDonald House Meal Preparation Committee Member, Nearly New Shop Chair, Active Advisor, and Transfer Coordinator. Kirby’s dedication to the League’s Mission is a testament to the values instilled in her by her mother.

Both Lori and Kirby were nominated for these prestigious awards by fellow League Members in recognition of their unwavering enthusiasm, dedication, and service to the Greenville community. Their countless volunteer hours and meaningful contributions have made a lasting impact on the organization and those it serves.

“The Junior League of Greenville is incredibly proud to honor Lori and Kirby for their exceptional service,” said Caroline Stewart, Board Sustaining Advisor and Michelle Gray, Membership VP of the Junior League of Greenville. “Their legacy of leadership and commitment truly embodies the spirit of our League.”

Each year the Junior League of Greenville presents three Membership Awards recognizing outstanding service and dedication to our League and community for that League year. Nominations are accepted in the Spring, and the awards are presented at the May GMM.

Our Active of the Year Award is named after Helen Horton Hunt. Helen Horton Hunt was a Member of the Junior League of Greenville for 10 years before her tragic death in 1989. She was an outstanding volunteer – pleasant, positive, responsible, and thorough. Her Placements included Provisional Development Committee, Child Advocacy Committee, New Born Care at the Greenville Hospital, and the Placement Committee. When she died, the JLG commissioned an artist to sculpt a statue of a child, which now stands in the wing of the Children’s Hospital. The 1988-89 Nominating Committee created the Helen Horton Hunt Service Award to recognize a Member with outstanding volunteer service, serving above and beyond her Placement Requirements and demonstrating voluntarism at its best.

HELEN HORTON HUNT SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS

(Active Member of the Year)

 1990 Caroline Batson Stewart

1991 Pam Reeves Knight and Lib McGrady Reynolds

1992 Fran Pearce Steele

1993 Katina “Tina” Edney Hampton

1994 Helen French Meyer

1995 Elizabeth “Beth” Miller McKissick

1996 Mollie Herring Woodside

1997 Tammy Ensor Phillips

1998 Janet “Jan” Giovanazzi Clements

1999 Eva Marie Theisen Fox

2000 Linda Hunt Pentaleri

2001 Patrice “Pat” Martin Perkins

2002 Elizabeth “Liz” Hope Philpot

2003 Elizabeth “Lisa” Hunter Mathiasen

2004 Kimberly Francisco Cooley

2005 Judith Wohn Aughtry

2006 Robin Lastrapes Pereda

2007 Christina “Christy” Crawley Dirnbauer

2008 Kristy Kellos Way

2009 Jennifer “Jenny” Thomas Lewis

2010 Sarah Baxter Fletcher

2011 Ashley Heinz Slagel

2012 Kathryn Repass Freedman

2013 Sharilyn Anne Brokaw

2014 Ashley DeRossett Livingston and Meg Esther Ried

2015 Kristen Bunnell Maurer

2016 René Long Morrow

2017 Elizabeth Averyt Shafer and Laura Brazel Sharp

2018 Sue Ellen Harvell

2019 Rachel Wyatt Vick

2020 Elizabeth-Kelly Pope

2021 Katarina “Katy” Carlson Sides

2022 Mary-Neil Jackson

2023 Jennifer “Jen” Riggs Compton

2024 Elizabeth “Michelle” Gray

2025 Kirby Center Frair

2026 Andrea Mullen Simrell

 

In 1997, awards for Provisional and Sustainer of the year were established. 

The Sustainer of the Year award is named after Jane Cardwell Hughes.  She was a charter Member of the organization and served as our first President in 1929.

JANE CARDWELL HUGHES AWARD RECIPIENTS

(Sustainer Member of the Year)

1997 Caroline Arrington Tompkins

1998 Elizabeth “Liz” Wicker Mahon

1999 Eleanor “Lyn” Roy Douglas

2000 Nancy Crigler Weinberg

2001 Gwendolyn “Gwen” Miner Moss

2002 Kathleen “Kathie” Fowler DeGarmo

2003 Michelle Ray Shain

2004 Alita Tunno Webster

2005 Janice Hayes Holliday

2006 Louise “Lou” Dorris O’Brien and Betty Heath Teague

2007 Janet “Jan” Giovanazzi Clements

2008 Josephine “Jo” Rosebrough Cox

2009 Terry Floyd Gordon

2010 Shelley Williams Hart

2011 Charlene Holloway Comer

2012 Ann Cheves Sherard

2013 Jean Hodges Hunt

2014 Caroline Batson Stewart

2015 Kim Pribula Williams

2016 Susan Thomas Reed

2017 Jill Lanman Schneider

2018 Virginia “Ginnie” Taylor Beard

2019 Sallie Perrin White

2020 Linda Cogswell Grandy

2021 Karen Bissinger Arrington

2022 Ingrid Blackwelder Erwin

2023 Kimberly Francisco Cooley

2024 Alice Fuller Littlejohn

2025 Lori Presnell Center

2026 Heather Lavanish Hooks

The Provisional of the Year award is named after Frances Pearce Steele. No one has ever loved the Nearly New Shop as much as Fran. She served as its Chairman in 1991 and broke all previous sales records. As a hands on Chairman she worked tirelessly with all of the Provisional volunteers who at that time completely ran the shop without a paid staff. She served as a zoo docent, zoo summer camp counselor, a Provisional Advisor and a Member of the Training Team (now LEAD). However – her greatest achievement was the countless hours designing and executing all of the sets for the Carolina Creatures fundraiser. Fran spent months painting sets, back drops and even built a two story working volcano. It was joked that she was covered in paint for months following the exhibit. Because of her work in the Shop and beyond it was decided that the Provisional of the Year award should be named after her. 

FRANCES PEARCE STEELE AWARD RECIPIENTS

(Provisional Member of the Year)

 1997 Elizabeth Finger Rouprich

1998 Noel Moore Rogers

1999 Shaughn Marie Polensky

2000 Laura Ashley Shelley

2001 Jennifer Shepherd Haley

2002 Anne Bryson Jolly

2003 Rebecca Jackson Feldman

2004 Kristen VanVoris Armaly and Julia Brice Woodhouse

2005 Margaret Brown Stephenson

2006 Ashley Milsap Ford

2007 Holly Smith Ailstock

2008 Kristin Kohl Whitehead

2009 Julie Ann Allison

2010 Donnice Mason Styles

2011 Katie Barnard Saad

2012 Laurel Stephens Shaler

2013 Riley Farr Haskell

2014 Jamie Langel Cramer

2015 Abbigail Gray Harden

2016 Cati McManus Heglar

2017 Lacey McInish Knause

2018 Catie Elizabeth Hancock

2019 Sunny Lake Hahn

2020 Amy Sherman St. John

2021 Monica Brown Culbreath

2022 Eryka L. Wallace

2023 Rachel Lester Murphy

2024 Ellen Martin Cohen

2025 Britney Nicole Giryluk

2026 Jillian Clark Furey