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.

2022 Spirit of Dakota Awards - October 1, 2022

Nominations

Close August 1st

Schedule of Events

Huron Event Center

October 1, 2022
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

Nomination Form

Brochure

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

* 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
Judy Trzynka - Watertown
First Gentleman Bryon Noem, Pierre

Spirit of Dakota Award Society

Beckie Freeman
Shelley Noonan
Bette Poppen
Terri Anderson-Schlader
Linda Schwartz
Mary Helen Wipf
Darcy Haber
Sarah Rubish
Erica McNeil
Jenny Sorben
Jane Meekins
Carol Milbrandt
Chery Dick
Beula Jean Helmer
Sarah Radke
Deannie LeRoux, Committee Emerit