Spirit of Dakota - South Dakota’s Premier Women's Award
Established in October 1986, the Spirit of Dakota Award is an annual honor bestowed each fall by the Spirit of Dakota Award Society at a state-wide event at the Huron Event Center. The Spirit of Dakota award is given to:
- An outstanding South Dakota woman who has demonstrated leadership qualities and has been successful and admired in her community and state.
- A woman with roots deep in Dakota whose courage and strength of character have helped develop her family and community.
- A woman who has represented social, cultural, and education advancement for others.
- This award is not Mother of the Year, nor Teacher of the Year, nor categorized but rather a recognition of those outstanding women who have been the symbols of all that we are proud of in our Prairie Women.
- The nominee does not need to be a native of South Dakota, but must be a current, living resident of the state.
2023 Spirit of Dakota Award - October 7, 2023
Nominations
Close August 1st
Schedule of Events
Huron Event Center
October 7, 2023
3:00 PM Nominee Tea
4:00 PM Art Show Opens
5:30 PM Social
6:30 PM Award & Celebration Banquet
For banquet tickets call Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau - 605-352-0000
For hotel rooms call the Crossroads Hotel - 1-800-876-5858
Spirit of Dakota Award
This prestigious Spirit of South Dakota award plaque is an outstanding piece of art; each individually created by renowned sculptor, Dale Claude Lamphere, and treasured by each honoree. A one-foot bronze oval is graced with the pioneer woman sculpted upon its facade. To further illuminate the award, the bronze oval is mounted on smoky black lucite which is etched with the award inscription. The final element of the honor is an 18x20 burnished gold wooden frame which securely holds the cherished woman.
History of Spirit of Dakota Award
The nine foot bronze sculpture "Spirit of Dakota" which stands at the entrance of the Crossroads Hotel & Huron Event Center is the source for the state-wide Spirit of Dakota Award. Dale Claude Lamphere, nationally recognized sculptor and artist, is the creator. This sculpture of a pioneer woman balanced against the wind was unveiled and dedicated in October 1987 by the citizens of Huron and is the unique possession of this community.
Distinguished Honorees
- 1987 - *Mrs. Winifred Lorentson, Miller
- 1988 - *Dr. Jeanie K. Sherman, Madison
- 1989 - *Florence Bruhn, Watertown
- 1990 - *Jeanette Lusk, Huron
- 1991 - *Dorothy (D.J.) Cline, Brookings
- 1992 - No Award Presentation
- 1993 - *Ruth Ziolkowski, Custer
- 1994 - Sylvia Henkin., Sioux Falls
- 1995 - Irene Fisher Coon, Sioux Falls
- 1996 - Hildreth Twostars Venegas, Sisseton
- 1997 - * Lorraine Huntimer, Oldham
- 1998 - Mary Lou Tripp, Belle Fourche
- 1999 - Marsha Sumpter, Phillip
- 2000 - *Donna Schipke, Newell
- 2001 - Phyllis White Eyes DeCory, Rapid City
- 2002 - *Virginia Keil Lardinois, Huron
- 2003 - Patricia Fawcett, Ree Heights
- 2004 - *Alice Kundert, Mound City
- 2005 - No Award Presentation
- 2006 - Janice Manolis, Huron
- 2007 - June James, Hazel
- 2008 - Elaine Doll-Dunn, Spearfish
- 2009 - Julie Garreau, Eagle Butte
- 2010 - *Dorothy Kellogg, Watertown
- 2011 - Millie Humphrey, Whitewood
- 2012 - Mary J. Milroy, MD, Yankton
- 2013 - Patricia Baird, Custer
- 2014 - Theresa Stehly, Sioux Falls
- 2015 - Mary Alice Woster Haug, Brookings
- 2016 - Susan DeLaney-Kary, Parmelee
- 2017 - *Jean Wilkinson, DeSmet
- 2018 - Beverly Stabber Warne, Rapid City
- 2019 - Jo Vitek, Watertown
- 2020 - No Award Presentation
- 2021 - Angela Ehlers, Presho
- 2022 - No Award Presentation
* Denotes Deceased Recipient
Selection Commission
- Tona Rozum, Chair - Mitchell
- Jean Hunhoff - Yankton
- Carol Johnson - Watertown
- Julie M Johnson - Aberdeen
- Suzette Kirby - Sioux Falls
- Julie Garreau - Eagle Buttte
- Marsha Sumpter - Kadoka
- Ginger Thomson - Brookings
- Jacque Sly - Rapid City
- First Gentleman Bryon Noem -Pierre
Spirit of Dakota Award Society
- Marilyn Hoyt, Award Society Chair, email - mjhoyt66@gmail.com
- Beckie Freeman, Nominee Tea Chair
- Shelley Noonan
- Bette Poppen
- Terri Anderson-Schlader
- Linda Schwartz
- Margo Anderson
- Darcy Haber
- Sarah Rubish
- Erica McNeil
- Jenny Sorben
- Jane Meekins
- Carol Milbrandt
- Chery Dick
- Beula Jean Helmer
- Sarah Radke
- Deannie LeRoux, Member Emeritus
