Friend of League Award

Friend of League Award

Stars and Stripes Banner

The Friend of League Award is awarded to a community member or group who assists LWV ABC in achieving our goal of good government.  The award, initiated and designed by longtime members Sandra Shanley and Mary Jo Truchon in 1991is presented in fall of each year.  Members may submit nominations to the Communication Committee Chair.

20232022202120202019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2000's | 1990’s

Return to About Us | Return to Handbook

 

2023

TJ Tronson holding 2023 Friend of League Award

TJ Tronson and NorthMetroTV 

in recognition of their work in producing widely viewed Candidate Forum video to inform voters during each election season.

2022 

Rebecca Ebnet-Desens, Executive Director of Anoka County Historical Society, and LWV ABC President with 2022  Friend of League award

Rebecca Ebnet-Desens, Executive Director of Anoka County Historical Society, and the staff of the Anoka County Historical Society

in recognition of their outstanding partnership to celebrate the history of women’s suffrage, honor the accomplishments of Anoka County women, document the 100-year history of the LWV ABC, inform our community about the work of the LWV and share the history and stories of the people and communities of Anoka County.

 Back to Top

 

 

2021

 Anoka Election Manager accepting 2021 Friend of League Award  from LWV ABC President Gretchen Sabel

Anoka County Elections Manager Paul Linnell and the Anoka County Elections Staff

for empowering voters, creating the trust crucial to preserving our democracy and educating the public about elections and voting.

 Back to Top

 

 

2020

Lydia Pottfoff and 2020 Friends of League Award

 

Staff of Anoka County Library Rum River and Anoka County Library Northtown (Lydia Potthoff pictured) 

These libraries went above and beyond in contributing to community awareness of the men and women who contine to make democracy work for all by hosting the LWV traveling exhibit celebrating 100 years of women's suffrage and the League, hosting opening ceremony events of the exhibit, displaying LWV ABC local history artifacts and featuring books about the people and events leading to the passage of the 19th Amendment.

Cortni O'Brien and 2020 Friends of the League Award

Cortni O'Brien, Adult Services Librarian, and the Columbia Heights Library

for hosting the LWV ABC historical exhibit and hosting, promoting and assisting LWV ABC with voter registration drives and dissemination of information to the public about the Presidential Primary.

 Back to Top

 

2019

Lori Anderson

Lori Anderson, founder of Transformative Circle

for creating a safe environment where people of diverse cultures can come together to gain understanding and build relationships for a stronger community 

 Back to Top

 

2018

Mel Aanerud receiving Friend of League Award 2018

Mel Aanerud

for his portrayal of Will Rogers in our successful community fundraiser, his support and participation in Observer Corps at Anoka County Board, and forging our civic partnership with Ham Lake Chamber of Commerce. 

 

2017

Leslie Sauer Smith receiving Friend of League Award

Leslie Sauer Smith, QCTV Community Television producer

for her enthusiastic cooperation and community spirit that provides exceptional production of LWV ABC programs that educate and motivate viewers regarding public policy and community involvement. Examples of her work are available on the QCTV website.  

Back to Top

 

 

2016

Andover Mayor Julie Trude with LWV ABC President  Jeorgette Knoll

City of Andover 

for its continuous support of providing free monthly meeting space and use of council chambers, as well as promoting horticultural practices that favor pollinators.

Back to Top 

 

 

2015

 Katherine Lenaburg and LWV ABC President Jeorgette Knoll

Katherine Lenaburg and Quad City Television (QCTV) 

for recording LWV ABC discussions and providing a separate listing of LWV ABC recordings on the QCTV website

Back to Top

 

2014

John Von Linde

John Vonde Linde

for his outstanding work in improving the Anoka County Park 

Back to Top

 

 

2013 

President Susan Anderson presenting award to Peter Bodley 

Peter Bodley, ECM Publishing editor

for the strong support he gave to publicizing our forums and community events 

 
 
  

2012

Student Senate of Anoka-Ramsey Community College
for their positive, non-partisan and energetic hosting of the LWV ABC election and public information events
 
 

2011

Steve Ericson
Steve Ericson 
for helping to keep League in the public eye  
 

2010

No awardee
 
 

2009

No awardee
 
 

2008

Babcock, Manella, & Klint, attorneys at law 
for their faithful financial support
 
 

2007

Julie Jones
 for spearheading a ten-year effort to restore the Springbrook Nature Center working with cities, a water maintenance organization, state and federal agencies, and the Northtown Shopping Center to get things done
 

 Back to Top

 

 

 

2006

Elizabeth Shanley
for guiding LWV ABC into the computer age and the World Wide Web (plus helping her Mom get things right)
 
 

2005

Amy Altman and Caroline Smith of Integrated Waste Management 
for their commitment to Anoka County's residents and keeping homes safe
 

 Back to Top

 

  

2004

Dick Brown

Dick Brown
for his constant attention to the environment
 
 

2003

No awardee
 
 

2002

Irene Meier
who specializes in Anoka County's elections and provides data to the public to our league's benefit
 
 

2001

Bernie E Steffen

Bernie Steffen
for providing a base for us to raise funds for our future and sound advice on how to get there
 
 

2000

Vernon Clapp
for helping us in court and in the environment
 
 

 1999

Lynda Rodgers 

Linda Rodgers
who worked with us to benefit our children's education and future 
 

1998

Jim Hulber
who opened his workplace and his business, World of Natural Health
 
 

1997

Sandi Hitch

Sandi Hitch
who made us feel at home at Anoka-Ramsey Community College
 
 

1996

 Gene Merriam

Gene Merriam
for knowing the political territory and the politicians 
 

1995

Lyle Bradley
 Lyle Bradley
 who knew the subjects that drive us and how fast to go 

 Back to Top 

  

 

1994

George Garclavs
who showed us what was under the ground and in the water
 
 

1993

Robb Tronson
who introduced us to the bright lights of cable television
 
 

1992

Harvey Buchite
who knew the information we needed to be educated in the world
 

1991

   Steve Schmidt

Steve Schmidt
who helped us find the money we needed to accomplish our goals