Corning, NY – The Fund for Women of the Southern Tier (FFW) is thrilled to congratulate Penelope Gregg, the recipient of this year’s regional Jefferson Award. The Jefferson Award is a national award for volunteerism, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis among others, that recognizes the individuals who exemplify what it means to give freely and passionately in support of others. This award honors select volunteers from our local community who have made the Southern Tier a better place for all who live here. After a rigorous nomination and review process, Penny had been recognized by the community for her work in empowering girls and women to achieve economic self-sufficiency and realize life goals.
As one of the original founders of FFW, the only dedicated funding source for girls and women in our region, Penny has worked tirelessly for more than a decade to advance the mission and help FFW improve the lives of girls and women in our community. “Penny is a key contributor to our work and one of our biggest champions. After all the work she has done and continues to do for FFW, it is very gratifying to see her honored in this way,” says Amanda Chafee, President FFW. “FFW is a very special, all-volunteer organization. With Penny’s help and the help of all those who volunteer their time, talents and resources, our ability to extend our reach and address the pressing needs of girls and women in our community will continue to grow.”
FFW developed from a group of women gathered around a kitchen table in 2009 to the vibrant and sustainable organization it is today during Penny’s involvement, serving as Board Member and Executive Committee Member, as well as time served in Officer positions. “Penny has been indispensable as we set and achieved our Million Dollar Endowment goal, saw our annual grants cycle become a self-sustaining program that this community will be able to rely on for years to come, and developed new grant programs to expand our capacity to support girls and women in need,” says fellow FFW Board Member and Corning Enterprises President, Chris Sharkey. “From advancing scholarship opportunities, to supporting area non-profits with similar missions, to providing emergency funds for girls and women in need, Penny has been there with a guiding perspective that has been invaluable as we’ve grown.”
The challenges of the current environment required the postponement of the award, but have not dampened the enthusiasm and elation FFW feels at the recognition of one of its own for this prestigious and well deserved award. Congratulations, Penny Gregg!
