The Junior League of Minneapolis (JLM), a nearly 100-year-old nonprofit rooted in the philosophy of community service, voluntarism and personal development, is pleased to announce that Catherine “Kit” Schmoker is the recipient of its highest honor, the Katharine Phelps Lifetime Achievement Award.  Kit personifies the JLM’s commitment to social responsibility and generosity. Throughout her lifetime, Kit has made a commitment to volunteerism, serving her community and giving back.

As a sustaining member of the JLM, Kit embodies what the League aspires to: training volunteers to better their communities. In that same spirit, Kit has been generous with her time and talent and to support organizations that serve and benefit women and children who need guidance and support. Her board and volunteer service include the following:

• Sustainer President and Sustainer Representative with the Junior League of Minneapolis;
• Board of Trustees member of the University of Nebraska Foundation;
• Board Member with the Children’s Theatre Company (Minneapolis);
• Volunteer and member of the Ivy Society with the Blake School;
• Deacon Board, Foundation Board and Church Council member at Meetinghouse Church in Edina (formerly Colonial Church)

Kit is also a longtime supporter of the Minnesota Children’s Museum, the Jeremiah Program, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Saint Thomas Academy, University of Nebraska and Delta Gamma Foundation.

Kit has been honored in recent years with the national “Principled Leadership Award” from Delta Gamma Fraternity for her work supporting young women on college campuses. She was presented with the Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the North American Interfraternity Conference; the Perry Branch Award for Volunteer Service by the University of Nebraska and Sustainer Volunteer of the Year from the Junior League of Minneapolis.

“Kit Schmoker exemplifies the spirit of the JLM in giving of her talents, time and resources to help organizations that support women, children and families,” writes Pam Badger, a JLM sustainer member who nominated Kit. “She never takes credit for her contributions but is consistent in her support for the work that is being done. She is a kind, generous and compassionate friend, too. In times of need, Kit is always one of the first to step forward with help. Kit has a strong faith that infuses all she touches.”

Celebration to honor recipient

The Junior League of Minneapolis will hold a celebration to honor Kit on Thursday, September 22 at 5:00 p.m. at the Minikahda Club in Minneapolis. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online.

About the Katharine Phelps Lifetime Achievement Award

The Katharine Phelps Lifetime Achievement award celebrates an outstanding member of the Junior League of Minneapolis, who—throughout her lifetime—has used her talents and resources to improve the social and economic conditions of others. Through advocacy, collaboration, philanthropy, direct service and community education, the award recipient embraces her community and makes a unique and significant difference as a leader. She emulates the founder’s sense of social responsibility and giving spirit, as well as her ability to empower others to

be effective volunteers.

Previous recipients of the Katharine Phelps Lifetime Achievement Award include Nancy Lindahl (2006); Sue Hodder (2007); Carol Truesdell (2008); Emily Anne Staples Tuttle (2009); Marilyn Carlson Nelson (2010); Marilyn Tickle Bryant (2011); Luella Goldberg (2012); Maxine Houghton Wallin (2013); Barbara Gray Koch (2014); Diana Hageboeck (2015); Leslie Turner (2016); Patty Murphy (2017); Barbara Forster (2018-19) and Anne Carrier (2020-21).

About the Junior League of Minneapolis

The Junior League of Minneapolis is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League of Minneapolis reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

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