Russellville’s Susie Malone wins national GFWC Jennie Award

Russellville’s Susie Hovater Malone received recognition as the winner for the GFWC national volunteer award (Jennie Award), as well as the deep south region volunteer award. Malone’s designation for the southern region was awarded previously, and the national award was presented during the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Interntional’s annual convention, held this year at the Chicago Hilton, June 28-July 1, during the Sunday banquet.

“I was very excited and honored to receive the Jennie Award,” Malone said. “This is the biggest award the GFWC gives in recognition of an individual member.”

The Russellville GFWC Book Lovers Study Club recommended Malone as the club’s Jennie Award nominee for Alabama. At the 2023 annual AFWC Convention, Malone won the Alabama Jennie Award which qualified her for the GFWC Southern Region. In October 2023, she along with other Southern region nominees competed.

“I’m so proud of her,” said fellow Russellville club member and former president, Brenda Oliver. “Susie is a hardworking woman.”

Another Russellville club member, Cheri McCain, echoed her sentiments. “As one of the five members attending from Book Lovers Study Club, I could not have been more proud than to witness the awarding of the highest honor of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Jennie Award, to our club member, Susie Malone.”

The convention’s theme was “Sparkle, Shine and Succeed,” and the awards banquet’s theme was “Purple Gala: A Night of Hope, Dreams and Inspiration.” The awards banquet took place in the Grand Ballroom, where the Jennie Award winners were presented.

The GFWC Jennie Award is the only national honor bestowed by GFWC that recognizes individual members for personal excellence. Members are nominated by their local clubs to compete at state, regional and national levels for the Federation’s highest honor – the Jennie Award, named in honor of GFWC’s founder, Jane Cunningham Croly, who wrote for national newspapers under the pseudonym “Jennie June.”

GFWC is one of the world’s largest and oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational, women’s volunteer service organizations. The group’s stated mission is to provide a dedication to community improvement via enhancing the lives of others through service.

Malone is a graduate of Russellville High School, and she received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Alabama. Malone taught in the Russellville City Schools system for 34 years, serving as RHS yearbook/Tiger Track newspaper sponsor, Future Business Leaders of America co-sponsor, Homecoming Court coordinator, Miss RHS Pageant director/coordinator for 33 years and varsity and junior varsity cheer coach for 10 years.

As president of the Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council, Malone worked for restoration for the Historic Roxy Theatre in downtown Russellville. She has also supported and worked for the beautification and restoration of downtown Russellville through her membership in the Cultura Garden Club, as well as served as the chairwoman for Every Light a Prayer for Peace for several years.

Malone is a longtime member of Russellville First Baptist Church, where she is active in the adult choir, Sunday school, women’s ministry, Vacation Bible School, mission trips with youth and senior adults and various other church committees.