Awards

Elizabeth Alexander Spirit Award

Elizabeth Williams Alexander (1966–2001) joined JLCU in the summer of 1998. Elizabeth was diagnosed with breast cancer but maintained her positive spirit throughout her ordeal, inspiring all those around her. She succumbed to the disease on January 20, 2001, leaving behind a husband and two small daughters. She spent only 2 years with us, but within that short time she touched so many with her passion for family, friendship and making her community a better place to live. The Elizabeth Alexander Spirit Award was created to celebrate her life.

Any New or Active member on any committee is eligible to receive this award. The committee will consider all nominations and determine who will receive the award; therefore they are not eligible for the award for the period of time that they are serving on the committee.

This award is given to celebrate the life of a member, who in her brief association with JLCU, touched so many with her passion for family, friendship, and making her community a better place to live. It is intended to honor a New or Active JLCU member who:

is dedicated to the JLCU mission;
is committed to community service outside JLCU;
is willing to step forward, whether behind the scenes or not, to get the job done when a need arises;
unselfishly puts the needs of family, friends and community before her own; and
consistently inspires others with optimism and spirit.

The nomination deadline has passed.

Recent Recipients:

2026: Janett Matthews
2025: Elizabeth Coder
2024: Michelle Marquart
2023: Mariah Young
2022: Jenn Smist
2021: Rebecca Ries
2020: Lonndon Blake
2019: Mary Wakefield
2018: January Boten
2017: Kristen Sackley
2016: Jenette Jurczyk
2015: Laura Gerhold
2014: Katie Madigan
2013: Jama Grotelueschen
2012: Jennifer Parastaran
2011: Jennifer Romine
2010: Audrey LeGrande
2009: Lisa Frerichs
2008: Robin Pletcher
2007: Kim W. Murphy
2006: Jayne DeLuce
2005: Janet Murray
2004: Tammy Nicastro
2003: Abby Hobbs
2002: Laura Walsten
2001: Kendy Stewart

Jen Smith Living Legendary Award

Jen Smith photo Jennifer Arnold Smith, who joined JLCU in the summer of 2002, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 30. Jen always had a zest for life and a desire to help others. She used her own personal story to educate others by helping to launch the Champaign-Urbana affiliate of Young Survival Coalition; by speaking at high school and college classes as well as national conferences; by writing a blog in addition to two books, Learning to Live Legendary and What You Might Not Know: My Life as a Stage IV Cancer Patient; and by mentoring many women one-to-one through Imerman Angels. Jen passed away on September 28, 2013, at the age of 36. She was a loving mother, professional, friend, daughter, aunt, advocate, and so much more. The Jen Smith Living Legendary Award was created to celebrate her passion and compassion: she taught us how to live life to its fullest in spite of tragic circumstances.

This award is given to any member, active or sustaining, or community partner who demonstrated that they are “living legendary” while being an advocate for a cause that betters the welfare of women and their community. It is intended for a member or community partner who:

is a community minded woman, including individuals who identify as a women, who does not let life define her by her cause but by the education she provides on behalf of the cause she fights for;
is dedicated to educating the community on a specific cause or civic issue;
is committed to family, friends, and her community;
lives the mission of JLCU through her actions and service;
and inspires women to reach their dreams with courage, strength and love for others.

The award is presented at the Annual Meeting in May.

The nomination deadline has passed.

Recipients:

2026: Lisa Rector
2025: Jaya Kolisetty
2024: Stephanie Cockrell Stewart
2023: Imani Harrison
2022: Julie Pryde
2021: Cynthia Bruno & Kelly O’Neill
2020: Andrea Rundell
2019: Sally Carter
2018: Gina Lee-Olukoya
2017: Jacquelyn Monroe-McMullen
2016: Beverley Baker
2015: Page Parkhill

Sustainer Community Impact Award

This award is given annually to one sustaining member of JLCU who has demonstrated the following criteria:

Significantly impacts the community
Continues commitment to voluntarism after completing active membership in JLCU
Remains involved with the non-profit sector, in paid or unpaid positions
Continues to support mission of JLCU

It is intended to recognize women who have used the training they received during their active years in JLCU to improve communities beyond the years they are active members of the organization.

The award is presented at the Annual Meeting in May.

The nomination deadline has passed.

Past Recipients

2026: January Boten
2025: Not awarded this year
2024: Heidi Esther Zulauf-Mulderink
2023: Jennifer Schmidt
2022: Ellen Hendrickson
2021: Abby Hobbs
2020: Danielle Wilberg
2019: Suzanne Younger & Sue Young
2018: Rebecca Guyette
2017: Ryann Monahan
2016: Tiffany Jackson
2015: Mary Konken
2014: Cathie Webber
2013: Amy Armstrong
2012: Gail Rost
2011: Jeanene Stephens
2010: Carol Scharlau

Community Impact Partner Award

This award is given to a community partner who helps support one of our community outreach projects. The award is presented at the Annual Meeting in May.

Past Recipients

2025-2026: Rotary Club of Champaign
2024-2025: Twice Az Nice Photography
2023-2024: Illini Radio Group
2022-2023: The Robert Grossman Trust
2018-2019: PNC Bank
2017-2018: University of Illinois Rowing
2016-2017: Urbana Early Childhood School
2015-2016: That’s What She Said
2014-2015: McGladrey
2013-2014: ACCO Brands for their support of Junior League Locker

Mission Partner Award

This award is given to a JLCU community partner who exemplifies our Mission within Champaign-Urbana. The award is presented at the Annual Meeting in May.

Past Recipients

2025-2026: Mr. & Mrs. Auto Detailing
2024-2025: Paul & Lisa Taylor, and Wallace Southerland
2023-2024: United Way of Champaign County
2022-2023: Not awarded this year
2021-2022: Kristin Darling Photography
2020-2021: Hilton Garden Inn
2019-2020: Two Men And A Truck
2018-2019: Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2017-2018: Clark Lindsey
2016-2017: Busey Bank
2014-2015: Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club
2013-2014: Car-X Tire & Auto