Celebrating Community Spirit in Bluffton
Bluffton, South Carolina, recently witnessed a heartwarming celebration as one remarkable woman was honored for her tireless work in helping those in need throughout the Lowcountry. On October 25, Maureen Cooley, a resident of Dataw Island in Beaufort County, was awarded the title of 2024 Woman of the Year by the United Way of the Lowcountry’s Women United, during a lovely Fall luncheon held at the Culinary Institute of the South in Bluffton.
A Recognition of Community Champions
The Woman of the Year award is no small feat—it recognizes local women who have made significant contributions to their communities through volunteer work. According to a spokesperson from the United Way of the Lowcountry, these women serve as inspirational role models for others, embodying the spirit of community service.
Maureen was one of four finalists for the award, each with their impressive backgrounds. The competition included:
- Feneshiae Greene, founder of Heart of God Outreach Ministry
- Meredith Keene, owner of Meredith A Keene CPA LLC
- Tameka Walker, a holistic doula and founder of Energy Evolution
All these women have contributed significantly to the betterment of Beaufort and Jasper counties, each in their own unique way.
Making a Difference
Maureen Cooley’s contribution to the community is truly inspiring. She has played a vital role in organizing various donation drives that have helped countless individuals and families in need across both counties. Some of the organizations benefitting from her efforts include:
- Hopeful Horizons
- St. Francis Center
- Keyserling Cancer Institute
- The Salvation Army
- Beaufort County Animal Shelter
Through these drives, she has facilitated the distribution of care packages filled with essential items such as food, clothing, toys, baby supplies, and personal items. It’s hard to quantify just how many lives she has touched, but Claudia Aller, the 2023 Woman of the Year recipient, noted that “Maureen exemplifies everything that Women United and this award represent.”
Inspiring Messages and Students’ Achievements
The luncheon also featured a wonderful keynote speech by Michelle Brenner, the owner of the Aesthetic Science Institute. A widely recognized expert in the skincare and wellness industry, Michelle has spent 35 years in her profession and encouraged everyone in attendance to embrace their passions and give back to their communities. Her words resonated with many present, underscoring the importance of community involvement.
In addition to honoring Maureen, the event also recognized the largest class of scholarship recipients from the Women United Scholarship Fund to date. This initiative aims to support non-traditional female students in Beaufort and Jasper Counties as they strive to achieve their academic dreams. The recipients this year included:
- Geobana Alvarez – Accounting at the Technical College of the Lowcountry
- Alyssa Robert – Elementary Education at the University of South Carolina Beaufort
- Kayla Townsend – Elementary Education at the University of South Carolina Beaufort
- Paul Madrid – Nursing at the Technical College of the Lowcountry
- Tymeca Sawyer – Nursing at the Technical College of the Lowcountry
- Angela Thomas – Business Administration/Management at the Technical College of the Lowcountry
To qualify for the scholarships, recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate their community involvement through volunteer work, exemplifying the spirit of giving that the Women United initiative promotes.
Join the Movement
The Women United program has been a beacon of hope for many since its inception in 2014, celebrating philanthropic-minded women who invest their time, energy, and passion into making the Lowcountry a beautiful place to live. Interested individuals can learn more about the program and its initiatives through their platform. As the Lowcountry continues to thrive through community spirit and volunteerism, it’s clear that women like Maureen Cooley are making a lasting impact that inspires us all.
