Along with hearing about Rightfully Ours, a book on the history of the original Suffragists, by Kerrie Logan Hollihan, a focus of the evening was the recognition of eight special volunteer leaders who had been nominated by community members throughout the county.
Of these fabulous women, one was chosen by outside judges to be the Orpha Gatch Award winner, named for Clermont County’s own Suffragist and civic leader, Orpha Gatch.
This year’s winner is Jennifer Vest of Batavia.
Vest was nominated for her leadership in and work with the recent successful Batavia School Bond levy. She served as co-chair of the levy committee and gave enormous amounts of time to the effort.
At the same time, Vest has long been active in her community, running in half-marathons for charity, sewing and designing for local amateur and children’s theater, leading church activities and giving, and supporting neighbors in need as she has taken care of her own family’s needs.
Congratulations to Jennifer Vest and to the League on 93 years of support for voting rights and voter education.