JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Glenda Dahlstrom spent 50 years helping prepare generations who follow her for careers in health care.
Zonta Club of Jefferson City recognized Dahlstrom during its annual Yellow Rose Luncheon on Tuesday afternoon with a 2022 Women of Achievement Award.
Dahlstrom stepped on stage, looked out at the sea of people supporting her and acknowledged she's attended the annual luncheon several times.
"Those of you that are here are used to lifting people up," she said as her voice broke.
Close family, she said -- including children, grandchildren and her sister -- helped her through the past year, in which she had a great deal of personal loss.
"This is kind of the lift-you-up that I needed to make it through the next year," Dahlstrom said. "Those people who supported me through some pretty tough times -- and some joyous times as well -- thank you for lifting me up. And always lifting all things nursing up."
Dahlstrom's was the first of two 2022 Women of Achievement awards the club gave out.
Zonta is a nonprofit (organization of executive women) that provides opportunities for women to develop leadership skills, explore career alternatives and work in service projects. A significant focus of the organization is to provide "second-chance" scholarships for female students (ages 24 and older) wishing to pursue secondary educations.
The program awards scholarships of up to $2,500 per semester.
Dahlstrom thanked the health care professionals she's worked with during the past 50 years of her life.
"You have made me want to do it all over again," she said. "Although, it took me three times to retire, I got it right this time."
Since her latest retirement (in 2021), she said, she's spending time enjoying family and friends.
Sally Moore received the second 2022 Women of Achievement Award of the afternoon. Moore spent 13 years working as an outpatient physical therapist at the Sam B. Cook Healthplex, on the Southwest Boulevard campus of Capital Region Medical Center. She later transitioned to business development for the hospital.
Most recently, Moore co-chaired the United Way of Central Missouri's fundraising campaigns (in 2020 and 2021), helping them reach record totals each of those years.
Moore said looking at her daughter reminds her that young ladies need good role models, who exhibit strong leadership and giving hearts.
"My grandma, Lucy, had great words of advice and lots of words of wisdom," Moore said. "She always said to thank God first. So, thank you God."
She pointed out that it is an honor simply to be counted among the group of Zonta nominees for Tuesday's awards. The nominees included health care workers, educators, business leaders, attorneys, writers and women who work with youth. Each received a certificate as a nominee.
Additional nominees were:
• Rhonda Allen, assistant principal at Lewis and Clark Middle School.
• Deanna Alonso, founder of Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association.
• Jackie Kemmer Beal, multiple jobs, including 17 years as secretary for Goller, Feather & Henrickson.
• Michelle Brooks, journalist and author.
• Suzie Farris, operating room nurse at Central Missouri Medical Park Surgery Center.
• Talva Grundstrom Joost, dentist.
• Pamela Quigg Henrickson, attorney and former chair of the MU Board of Curators.
• Ann McSwain, dean of College of Professional Studies at Lincoln University.
• Tobie Meyer, director of the Cole County Prenger Family Center.
• Sally Powell, owner ECCO Lounge.
• Phillippa Fefe Rome, owner Skillett's Catering.
• Nancy Samp, former teacher and local supervisor for national school lunch program.
• Beverly Stafford, director of the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation.
• Ann Monaco Warren, attorney.
Zonta also recognized 11 Second Chance Scholarship recipients, its Celebration award recipient (Kelly Karavousanos), and its Mrs. William H. Weldon Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Supreme Court Judge Mary Rhodes Russell. Russell, who served as chief justice from 2013-15, will again serve in that role in 2023.
Sally Moore said it's important to remember to thank God as she was recognized as one of two women of achievement Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at the Zonta Yellow Rose Luncheon at Capital Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. (Julie Smith/News Tribune photo)
Sally Moore says a few words as she accepts a Woman of Achievement Award and flowers from Dr. Lenora Adams, right, and Ruthi Sturdevant on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, during the Zonta Yellow Rose Luncheon at Capital Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. (Julie Smith/News Tribune photo)
Missouri Supreme Court Judge Mary Rhodes Russell, middle, is presented with the Mrs. William H. Weldon Lifetime Achievement Award on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, during the Zonta Yellow Rose Luncheon at Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. Presenting Russell with the items are Dr. Lenora Adams, left, and Ruthi Sturdevant. (Julie Smith/News Tribune photo)