Chamber holds 51st Women in Business Celebration
Darnell McPherson, left, winner of 2015 Woman of Acheivement, with 2016 winner Nancy McGee.
Photos by Jana E. Pye
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
The Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce celebrated their 51st Annual Women in Business Celebration on September 19, 2016 at The DeLoach Center on the Coker College Campus. Chamber President Quinetta Buterbaugh thanked the team of women who put the event together, and encouraged the attendees to network together. In addition to a great night out with the girls, the women that attended enjoyed a spirited speaker, the presentation of scholarships to Florence-Darlington Technical College and Coker College, and the presentation of the Women of Achievement Award to Nancy Williams McGee.
Attendees enjoyed a festive night as the gymnasium was transformed into their theme, “Under the Big Top: Life’s A Juggling Act” with Coker College dancers performing acrobatic dances, a large photo booth, magic tricks by Chuck Miller and delicious “fair style” food catered by Bizzells…and the always amazing array of door prizes.
The guest speaker for the event was Toyinda Smith, the founder and lead consultant of Leadership Strategy and Consulting, LLC. In addition to her consulting, she is an Adjunct Professor of Communications at Coker College and owner of the Hartsville Balloon Company, LLC. “As a woman, we know how to juggle,” said Smith, sharing her tips for networking and making a mark as a busy woman in today’s society.
Carolina Kids, that serves the children of Darlington County School District, was the recipient of many items donated at the event to be used for the Carolina’s Kids Hunger Buster Program to provide needy children with food to carry them over the weekend.
Darnell McPherson of Darlington County First Steps, the Woman of Achievement for 2015, presented the honor of the 2016 Woman of Achievement to Nancy Williams McGee. She shared the nomination written by Richard A. Puffer, Director of The Byerly Foundation:
“Nancy is one of the most focused and committed community leaders that we have in Hartsville and she has a life-time career of community and professional leadership that has made a lasting impact on our community. In nearly every area where community leadership is sought in Hartsville, Nancy is at the table and contributing significantly in a variety of ways.”
Included in his nomination, Puffer noted her contributions to helping Hartsville achieve the All America City designation both in 1996 and 20 years later this year. She is a current member of the Community Foundation for a Better Hartsville, Hartsville Kiwanis Club, and The Byerly Foundation Board of Trustees. In the past, she was well known as a media personality on WHSC radio station, and became the chief executive of the Hartsville Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband run the McGee Financial Associates in Hartsville, and remains fit with the FiA – Females in Action exercise group in Hartsville.
Congratulations, Nancy!