The Spirit of Dakota Award is seeking nominations

By the Plainsman staff

HURON — The Spirit of Dakota Awards Society is seeking nominations for this premier women’s award.

The 38th annual Spirit of Dakota Award will honor an outstanding South Dakota woman this fall in Huron.

Nominations close on August 1. The recipient will be announced at a banquet at the Huron Event Center on Saturday, October 12.

The nine-foot bronze statue in front of the Events Center, created by internationally known sculptor Dale Lamphere of Sturgis, is the inspiration for this award.

The 2024 Spirit of Dakota Award recipient will be chosen by a statewide selection committee that includes Tona Rozum, Mitchell, Chair; Julie Garreau, Eagle Butte; Jean Hunhoff, Yankton; Carol Johnson, Watertown; Julie M. Johnson, Aberdeen; Suzette Kirby, Sioux Falls; Jacque Sly, Rapid City; Marsha Sumpter, Kodoka; and Ginger Thomson, Brookings.

The nomination process is open to all interested individuals or organizations who wish to recognize an outstanding woman in their community.

This award is given to a South Dakota woman who has demonstrated vision, courage and strength of character and who has made a significant contribution to the quality of life in her community and state. Nominee must not be a native of South Dakota, but must be a life resident of the state. There is no age requirement for this award.

Past recipients have included community leaders from business, government and civic organizations and have been described in newspaper articles as “the cream of the crop when it comes to South Dakota’s finest.”

Nomination forms are available by contacting the Huron Area Chamber of Commerce, 1725 Dakota Ave S, Huron, SD 57350 (1-800-487-6673) or online at www.spiritofdakota.org.