Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES • FALL 2015 • sai-national.org 46 2015 Fraternity Awards Dorothy Whinery Special Leadership Award Virginia A. Johnson Fort Wayne Alumnae, Beta B, Region V Virginia "Ginny" Johnson, former National President, was selected as the 13th recipient of the Dorothy Whinery Special Leadership Award given for outstanding leadership in the national organization. Originally named the Special Leadership Award, it was renamed the Dorothy Whinery Special Leadership Award to honor her years of service as National Executive Secretary (from 1956-92). It has been presented twelve previous times: 1947 Convention to Gertrude Evans Messersmith, National President 1931-1942 1953 Convention to Edna Hebel Geimer, National Treasurer 1925-1948; Director of Finance 1948- 1950 1959 Convention to Kathleen Davison, National President 1942-1956 1965 Convention to Edna Hutton, National Editor 1944-1973 1978 Convention to Ruth Gould, National President 1968-1978 1990 Convention to Dorothy Cooke Whinery, National Executive Secretary 1956-1992 1997 Convention to Ruth Sickafus, retiring Vice Chairman, SAI Philanthropies, Inc. 2000 Convention to Helen May, Graduate Performance Awards Director, 1974-1993 2003 Centennial Convention to Bobbie Burk, Past National Chaplain, SAI Archivist 2006 Convention to Barbara Staton, Past Inter-American Music Awards Director 2009 Convention to Elsie Sterrenberg, Past National President 1984-1993 2012 Convention to Dixie Lou Morris, Past NVP Extension 1978-1987 Ginny is an initiate of Iota Eta Chapter and is currently affiliated with the Fort Wayne Alumnae Chapter. She received her Bachelor's in Elementary Education and Music Education from Indiana State University and a Master's from Indiana University-Fort Wayne. She has served the fraternity in numerous capacities, including local chapter offices, Zeta Psi Chapter Advisor, Beta Province Vice President (1987-90), Beta B Province Officer (1990-93), NVP, Extension and Fraternity Development (1993-97), and National President (1997-2006). Ginny holds the fraternity's Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, Rose of Dedication, Wreath of Achievement, Region V Alumnae Leadership Award-Diamond Sword, and the Ring of Excellence. She teaches voice, conducts workshops on vocal health, and performs concerts in music series. Presently she is a board member of the Crescent Avenue School of the Arts, on the Board of Trustees of WBNI, and on the Philharmonic Chorus Board. Many tributes to her nine years as National President are evident at the SAI National Headquarters. e Ginny Johnson Sculpture Garden features the original artwork commissioned by her husband Bill, a Friend of the Arts, and the tree given by the 2006 Convention body as Ginny completed her years as president. (See pg. 23 for Ginny's speech, presented at the Welcome Luncheon as Convention Honoree.) Artist Jim Millar (left) stands with Friend of the Arts Bill Johnson and former National President Ginny Johnson at the dedication of the Virginia A. Johnson Sculpture Garden at National Headquarters in October 2006. The sculpture was commissioned by Bill to honor Ginny's nine years as National President.

• Cover