Jeanna Richelson certainly deserves congratulations from her fellow citizens in the Chattanooga community for being honored as this year's local Jefferson Award winner, for overcoming personal obstacles and then serving others.
Her recognition was given before an audience of 200 people at the Sheraton Read House Thursday.
Surviving oral cancer, she started the Chattanooga Chapter of Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer, the first such support group in this region.
"You are now among the elite group of individuals who have had an immense impact upon the community around us," President Jason Taylor of the Times Free Press said of the honoree.
"One person can make a difference" was the theme of the occasion.
There will be further Jefferson Awards national ceremonies in Washington.