Signal Mountain Community Guild vice president Diane Gallagher, Chairwoman of the Woman of the Year Committee Mary Westerman, president Lorraine Humble, 2010 Signal Mountain Woman of the Year Mary Katherine Austin and past presidents Colleen Combs and Leah Gallant, from left, gather at the conclusion of the annual Dogwood Luncheon.
Contributed photoMary Katherine Austin is the Signal Mountain Community Guild’s Woman of the Year for 2010.
“She represents what we think the Woman of the Year should be,” said Woman of the Year Committee Chairwoman Mary Westerman. “She works for the social service agency, is involved with seniors and active in church and her children’s school.”
Woman of the Year 2009 Pris Shartle presented the award to Austin during the annual Dogwood Luncheon.
In her work over the past three years with Signal Mountain Social Services, Austin has served as an advocate and friend to senior citizens, helping connect them with the services they need, organizing visits and assisting with the agency’s Christmas basket program, said Shartle.
The mother of Mary McGowan and Charlie Austin is also active in the Nolan PTA as coordinator for the Volunteer Appreciation Committee as well as a leader in the Kingdom Kids Sunday School program.
“Doing good for the people around her describes this woman completely as it is said that one thing that is striking about her is the positive, happy attitude that she exudes when working with others,” said Shartle during the award presentation. “Her enthusiasm and positive spirit rub off on others, making it clear that she reminds us all of how we are supposed to approach life.”