“Dot” Altheimer, left, Genie Blue Mathews, second from right, and Ellen Smith, right, were the first three recipients of the award which was named for them. Also pictured is Dr. Don Bogie, who received the award in 1988.
The Mathews-Altheimer-Smith Award was established in 1985 to be awarded to a member of the River Region United Way Community Council for outstanding service to the community through his/her efforts as a council member.
The Award is named after its first three recipients – Genie Blue Howard Mathews, Dorothy “Dot” Elizabeth Powell Altheimer and Ellen Smith. All three women served on the council at various points from the 1950s through the 1980s, and all served as chair of the council.
The award was created to recognize an outstanding member of the council who showed the same superior qualities of dedication and service exhibited by Mathews, Altheimer and Smith. The purpose of the award was also to honor and remember those who have served so well in the past.
Criteria for the award include involvement in council activities, participation in projects and programs having a significant impact on the community, contributions to community endeavors affecting broad segments of the population, and the display of community leadership skills and a deep sense of social responsibility.
More About the Award Namesakes
- Genie Blue Howard Mathews was a 1918 graduate of Sidney Lanier High School. She served on the Community Council from 1953-1954 and 1956-1967, distinguishing herself as the chair of the council in 1955 and 1956.
- Dorothy “Dot” Elizabeth Powell Altheimer served on the Community Council from 1953-1954, 1956-1967, 1969-1971, 1973-1975 and 1980. During her tenure on the council, she conducted a needs assessment in 1965 which led to the admission of the Catholic Charities Bureau. In 1967 she chaired the committee which formed the Montgomery Association for Retarded Children from two existing organizations. She served as chair of the council in 1957, 1958 and 1959.
- Ellen Smith served on the Community Council from 1958-1959, 1962-1968, 1970-1972, 1979-1981 and 1983-1986. During her tenure on the Council, she conducted a 1966 mental health resources study in Montgomery County which led to the eventual creation and incorporation of the Montgomery Area Mental Health Center. She chaired the council in 1972.
Past Recipients
1985 Genie Blue Mathews
Dorothy Altheimer
Ellen Smith
1986 Mary Helen Beale
1987 Joyce Hobbs
1988 Don Bogie, Ph.D.
1989 J. Mac Jones
1990 John A. Garrett
1990 Isabell Thomasson
1991 Emily Gassenheimer
1992 Rita Sabel
1993 Eugene Millsap
1993 Janis Sabel
1994 Mary Lynne Levy
1995 Nellie Weil
1997 Helen Geesey
1998 Elizabeth “Tootsie” Emmet
1999 Louise Pittman
2000 Sheri McKean
2001 Portis Cunningham
2001 Mary Lee Stapp
2002 Laurie Jean Weil, DVM
2003 Jocelyn Cash
2004 David & Janice Baylinson
2005 Thomas P. Gilliland
2006 Joy Blondheim
2008 Jim Conway
