Brenda Yankey, #49720 - Joined the Harrisonburg Jaycettes in 1980, then the Jaycee Women where she held almost every local VP slot and other positions including State Director for Meetings. She received the Award of Honor for District Director and was named by the Virginia Jaycee Women and the US Jaycee Women as Outstanding Regional Director. She received her Virginia Jaycee Women Life Membership in 1985 which tranferred to the Virginia Jaycees when the organizations merged.
As an active Jaycee, she received the Keyman Award, the Eldridge K. Hayes award for State Director and her 10th Degree.
Her first Jaycee convention was in February 1983 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Crystal City.
(The 18” snow storm and when the “Eagle” disappeared.) She strongly states that she had nothing to do with the disappearance, although she did ‘see’ it that weekend, but she was too busy with elevator races!
One of her most notable positions was as Regional Coordinator for ONTO. She has attended 11, yes, 11 National Conventions! as part of the Virginia Delegation. (She did say it may be 12 – we were just impressed that anyone attended that number of National meetings!)
One of the many joys Brenda has in her post active -Jaycee life is working with the Life Member Association at the Summer Board meeting or anything that helps raise money for Camp Virginia Jaycee.
Some of the exciting times she’s enjoyed in the Senate is working Hospitality with Steven and Paula See (4 consecutive years) as well as Returning the Favor as a member of the Harrisonburg re-extension team in 2004.
Brenda graduated from James Madison University (JMU) with a Degree in Social Work, therafter serving as a Social Worker, then as a House Mother for 10 boys (ages 6-12), at the Boys Home in Covington.
Today she is a currently enjoying her work as a dental assistant and her involvement with the Booster Club for the JMU Womens’ Basketball team for almost 15 years. She spends time with the club supporting them at home and away games, receptions and even does a scrapbook for the Seniors every year.
In her ‘spare’ time, she loves to work with flowers- and coming from a large family, this is really what made the excitement of gatherings when she could add some excitement. From helping friends that are local florists, to her creativity with twigs from her curly willow trees – she is definitely and inspiration with her eye for making ‘stuff’ simply seem elegant.
About a 18months ago (with a weeks’ vacation) she went to New Orleans to rebuild houses for Hurricane Katrina victims. From dry wall, to laying tile, painting and installing kitchen cabinets – anything and everything. She said she didn’t know anyone when she got there, but the work needed to be done.
Brenda does note that one of the biggest honors over her lifetime was receiving her Senatorship on May 2, 1992. She recognized that while the Jaycee organization is one in which we have fun, and congratulate each other on accomplishments, it’s also one in which people have lifelong friends and have the opportunity to learn.
She even mentions how the Harrisonburg group still meets about once a month just to reconnect. Whether it be her love of Haunted Houses, to working the chicken bbq stand at 5am (blessing the chicken with the toilet bowl brush) or the Christmas tree lot – Brenda has certainly been an inspiration.
She summed it all with this statement, “The Jaycees are such a wonderful organization – it’s a shame more people aren’t taking advantage of it – it does so much for everyone on so many levels. I can truly say that my dearest friendships have been made through the organization. I will always treasure them and be grateful for the opportunity to have been a Jaycee.”
Brenda - We’re grateful to have YOU, too!
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