Golden Thimble Award

Annual award for outstanding participation

The Golden Thimble Award is an annual award voted on by the membership and presented by the guild to recognize a member who has provided extraordinary service during the preceding fiscal year. Two guild members tied for the most nominations, so we are proud to have two honorees!

Our 2026 Golden Thimble Award recipient is Ellen Williams!

I am very honored to be selected as this year’s Golden Thimble recipient.

My mother was not a quilter, until I started quilting, but she was an avid volunteer. I learned from her that if you belong to a group you need to pitch in and help where ever you can. My mother’s words are at the heart of all of my volunteer efforts.

I began sewing Barbie and doll clothes when I was in early elementary school but I was not allowed to use my mother’s sewing machine. My dad bought me a used Singer when I was ten years old. I am a self taught quilter. I had a couple of false starts when I was in high school but I really began quilting when my son was born over 40 years ago. I always have several projects in the works and many more ideas swirling around in my head.

Previous Winners

2026 — Ellen Williams
2025 – Kathy Carr & Peggy Reichelderfer (tie)
2024 – Barbara Harmon
2023 – Paula Johnson
2022 – Laura Crawford
2021 – Dianne Davis
2020 – Terri Davis
2019 – Vicki Samsel
2018 – Nancy Yeomans
2017 – Mary Loker
2016 – Connie Bradford
2015 – Karen Stanley
2014 – Janice Woodring
2013 – Genelle Reaves
2012 – Bari Berger
2011 – Judy Gold
2010 – Kay Turner
2009 – Maureen Ashlock
2008 – Ann Highfill
2007 – Nancy Whitaker
2006 – Becky Toelke
2005 – Lucille Sanders & Mary Marlin (tie)
2004 – Evelyn Mihlfeld
2003 – Betty Adams
2002 – Donna Bollinger
2001 – Louise Venturoni
2000 – Liz Jackson & Nancy Jeffryes (tie)
1999 – Sue Childers