Elginite Altrusa’s Woman of the Year
Submitted by Altrusa Club
The Altrusa International Club of Elgin Inc. recently named Deirdre Higgins White of Elgin as the recipient of its Woman of the Year 2011 award. White will be honored at the 62nd annual Woman of the Year Recognition Dinner on Thursday, May 19, at Villa Olivia Country Club in Bartlett.
The local Altrusa Woman of the Year Award began in 1950 when Harriet Armstrong was recognized as the first recipient. Since then, a long line of dedicated local women have been honored for their volunteer service to the greater Elgin area community.
“Deirdre is an avid volunteer,” said Felicia King, Altrusa Woman of the Year committee chair. “As YWCA Elgin event coordinator, she brings enthusiasm and a positive spirit to every project and assignment she undertakes. Whether she assumes a leadership role or works cooperatively in a group, Deirdre devotes the time and energy necessary to see it through successful completion.”
Higgins White was born in Holy Cross Hospital on the south side of Chicago to two Irish immigrants and still holds a citizenship in Ireland. She organized her first fundraiser at the age of 10 for a Jerry Lewis Backyard Carnival for Muscular Dystrophy and the group raised $200 each year. She credits her father for giving her the giving spirit as he was very involved in community events.
A graduate from Eastern Illinois University, Higgins White holds a bachelor’s degree in business and was an accountant before her children were born. She met her husband, Dale, in Chicago, and they now have two children Chloe and Trevor.
Organizations that have seen her community service include: Cinderella’s Closet, the Elgin Downtown Neighborhood Association, Elgin Junior Service Board, BocaJump, Elementary School Dental Education, Prairie View Grade School, Daisy Leader and a Brownie Leader, soccer coach, Muscular Dystrophy fundraising, animal shelter volunteer, neighborhood volunteer, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Fox Valley, Y-Me National Breast Cancer organization, charitable golf outings, race director for Boys and Girls Club of Elgin, host committee member at the Elgin Country Club, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Information Network, Elgin Junior Women’s Club, Elgin Community College referendum, Frock Swap committee member, and voice-over volunteer for nonprofit videos.
For more information and reservations regarding the Altrusa Woman of the Year dinner, contact Nancy Gerner at (847) 289-0797.
Altrusa International Club of Elgin Inc. is an international service organization comprised of executive and professional women. The Altrusa Club of Elgin sponsors a number of projects in the community through volunteerism and monetary support. Members reside throughout the Northern Fox Valley area, including Elgin, South Elgin, Bartlett, Dundee, Sleepy Hollow, Carpentersville, Algonquin, Bartlett, Hampshire, Huntley and Pingree Grove.