Throughout her life, Fulton's Carmen Brandt has helped others and pursued causes close to her heart and community.
On Monday, Brandt will stand in the Capitol rotunda in Jefferson City and receive the 2018 Lieutenant Governor's Senior Service Award.
"I'm truly surprised," she said. "It was really nice. I'm just very humbled by it."
Brandt's accomplishments are well known in the Callaway County area. She has served on Fulton's Human Rights Commission for 10 years and has been acting president for a majority of that time. Under her leadership, the commission has been repeatedly recognized for its ongoing efforts within this community, including fair housing seminars, recognition of local humanitarian leaders and - most recently - the honor of receiving the Local Human Rights Commission of the Year (2017), awarded by the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.
Additionally, she serves on numerous boards and volunteers with many organizations within the city and county.
"I just think it's so important to serve your community," Brandt said. "I love working with people and kids."
In late March, Fulton submitted paperwork nominating Brandt for the award. This nomination was a combined effort by city officials including Councilman Steve Moore, the George Washington Carver Cultural Center board, Guiding Light Missionary Baptist Church of Christ, and more.
"It was nearly impossible to pin down everything this woman does," city clerk Courtney Crowson said. "Carmen's efforts to ensure all voices are heard, all people are treated equally and fairly - with dignity and compassion - are noteworthy, and we are thrilled she has been selected for this award."
The public ceremony will begin at 1 p.m., said Joe Pondrom, director of Constituent and Senior Services for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Mayor LeRoy Benton said: "Carmen serves on many service boards within our city and county and leads with grace, compassion and a heart of gratitude. Her outstanding and exemplary acts of servant leadership are noteworthy and deserving of recogntion."
Brandt's friend, Goldie Vaughn, said Brandt has been deeply involved in development of the George Washington Carver Cultural Center, a school she once attended.
"She also is an important part of Calvary Baptist Church where she has served for more than 10 years as the superintendent of Sunday School," Vaughn said.
Charles R. Jackson, pastor of Guilding Light Missionary Baptist Church of Christ in Fulton, said Brandt is a deserving recipient.
"Carmen has been a godsend; she has taken the responsibility of serving as the coordinator for a Youth Reading Program our church hosts," he said. "She coordinates the activities for the month-long activities during the summer and third Saturday meetings during the school year."
The Senior Service Award was enacted in 2005 to promote and highlight the positive accomplishments that Missouri's senior citizens continually provide to their local communities.
"As an advocate for Missouri's seniors, I am proud to recognize seniors all across our state for the work they do in their communities," Lt. Gov. Mike Parson said. "The accomplishments of our state's seniors often go unnoticed, and I intend to celebrate their accomplishments and thank them for helping to making Missouri a better place. I encourage all Missourians to nominate a deserving senior for this award. We would like to represent a senior from every county in Missouri."
Pondrom said the ceremony is open to the public and usually about 100 people attend. Last year, 61 winners including Betty O'Neal, of Fulton, were chosen from 153 applications.
The names of this year's other winners were not available.