2014
1 2014 WINNERS
Second Chance Scholarship Recipients
Jennifer Kidd
Jennifer Kidd has a story of caring, love and a road back. After her mother suffered a
stroke, Jennifer became her companion, caretaker and physical therapist. This hectic
schedule did not allow for her studies so she put it on hold. After much work and
keeping a positive attitude, her mother has made great progress and Jennifer has taken
this opportunity to turn her focus back to college. She is currently attending Columbia
College. In addition to being an outstanding student, Jennifer was a legislative intern in
2013, and volunteers packaging food for the Central Missouri Food Bank and ringing
bells and raising money for the Salvation Army.
Lisa Sawyer
As a mother, patient care technician, and student, Lisa Sawyer is a Zonta Second
Chance Scholarship recipient that knows the meaning of hard work. By day she is a
busy mom getting her two boys ready for school and taking nursing classes. In the
evening she works the night shift at Boone Hospital Center. She is, as a close friend
described her, “a role model for women who have been thrust into dire circumstances
beyond their control. She faces adversity and obstacles with pure determination.” Lisa
continues to write her own story and make her own path and she continues to inspire
her children and her patients.
Lesley Trippensee
As an active member of the Jefferson City community, Lesley has been involved in the
Chamber of Commerce, hYPe, Rotaract (under 30 Rotary), the Missouri River Regional
Library Foundation Board and Relay for Life of Cole County. As her colleagues will tell
you, she does not just join a group; she devotes herself fully and jumps into action. In
addition to this impressive list of volunteer organizations, Lesley has worked for
Providence Bank for over six years showing that she is not only enthusiastic about her
many endeavors but also dedicated. In addition to her list of accomplishments, Lesley
has worked hard to come back from major reconstructive hip surgeries. She continues
to share her story and she teaches by example how to be resilient and positive.
Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Micca Ruffin
In 1989, Missouri created the first ever Parents as Teachers program right here in
Jefferson City. Micca Ruffin was the founding leader of that program. She has done
the majority of program research and created many of the learning materials being used
by parents and parent educators throughout Missouri and across the entire United
States. The program has been proven to make a huge difference in the lives of children
and their families. In fact, it has been so successful that it is now being replicated
world-wide. In fact, Micca was responsible for founding the Parents as Teachers
programs in Canada, England and Australia. She is the master trainer for Parents as
Teachers and is the primary leader called upon when PAT is being discussed in other
countries. Her recent travels on behalf of PAT include centers in China and Japan and
various countries in Europe and South America.
While employed with the Jefferson City School District in her capacity with the district's
PAT program, she also started the Early Childhood Intervention Program for public
schools and has established Parents as Teachers programs for teens, teachers in
childcare centers and for incarcerated fathers. Her work helped to establish the PAT
program at the Jefferson City Day Care center and with Head Start programs across the
country. She created the Children's Hour at the Governor's Mansion and worked with
Scholastic to create a reading hour at Samaritan Center and the Children's Library at
Lincoln University used by teachers in training and local teachers.
In addition to her educational contributions, Micca has been active throughout our
community as chair of the Mansion Docents, President of the Morning Music Club,
facilitator for "Save the Bingham Paintings Campaign" at the Capitol and helped design
the Project Construct National Center. She has donated time to the Multicultural
Advisory Council, The Arts Fair for Children, Cole County Historical Boar, Jefferson City
Chamber of Commerce and helps with the Zonta scholarship program and Women of
Achievement Luncheon each year.
Her honors include Young Woman of the Year, AAUW Award for Community Service,
Outstanding Early Childhood Educator for Missouri, PIE Award of Excellence and First
Book Literacy Leader Award as well as many other local and national awards.
2014 Women of Achievement
Dr. Miriam Fuller
Professor, Author, History Maker, Educator and Leader. These words and so many
more describe Dr. Miriam Fuller and her contribution to women’s rights and those of the
African-American community. She is known for many firsts. In 1960, she was the first
African-American to attend what is now known as the University of Virginia at Wise. In
2004, the University recognized her for her contributions and courage. In 2013, she
was inducted into the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Parks “Walk of
Fame”.
She was one of the first female African-American faculty members at the University of
Missouri – Columbia. Miriam taught 17 years at the university and also founded two
Preschool Development Centers in Jefferson City. She wrote a ten-volume set of books
to help beginning readers and in 1971 wrote a biography about poet Phillis Wheatley.
As a retiree, she serves the poor, homeless, and disenchanted. She is active in the
First Christian Church as an elder and lay minister. She mentors two children and is a
Buddy Pack leader. Miriam is also profiled in the book “Success in Hill Country” by Amy
Clark.
For Miriam, “success is the positive outcome of goals achieved through hard work and a
caring attitude.”
Audrey Kauffman
As the founder and owner of Café Via Roma in Jefferson City since 2003, Audrey
Kauffman has found the perfect location for her business and her passion – across from
the Missouri State Capitol. A mother of three and a small business owner Audrey has
committed her life to making the community a better place. Through the eyes of her
employees she has seen many of the social issues experienced by those struggling due
to low income. Through these experiences she became an advocate for child care
assistance noting that it’s beneficial for the children, the parents, the economy, and the
community. Audrey is also concerned about the community’s growing health concerns
and is working with the LifeVantage Corporation to help share their bio-technology.
Audrey is on the Board of the Central Missouri Community Action group, which works to
empower individuals and families to become self-reliant. At the request of the First
Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon, Audrey organized food gardens in Kansas City for
mothers who have successfully completed a drug abuse program. In 2010 she started
serving Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at the Dulle and Hamilton Towers because
many residents do not have families to share the holidays. Audrey states, “My faith
gives me the courage to listen to my instincts and to step up and out of my comfort
zone; to use the gifts that have been given me to bring about positive change.”
Celebration Award Recipient
Jann Carl
Jann Carl is a three-time-Emmy-award-winning journalist. In addition to her news story
savvy, she is well known for her in-depth interviews with some of Hollywood’s top stars
during her 14 years as a senior correspondent and weekend anchor with Entertainment
Tonight. Today, she is writing a new chapter in her personal story by serving as the cohost of the cable television show, “Small Town Big Deal.” She and her co-host, Rodney
Miller, shine the spotlight on the cool, interesting, historic and just plain fun things going
on in small towns across America. The entire show is a celebration of the stories being
written across America.
While Carl now makes her home in Southern California, she is a native of Columbia,
Missouri and a graduate of the University Of Missouri School Of Journalism. Her
mother still resides in Columbia. We could not have selected a more appropriate
honoree than this amazing collector and writer of stories. Unfortunately, no series of
planes – trains – or automobiles were able to get her and her mother from an
engagement in Washington, DC to our luncheon in time to speak to our audience.
However – she does have an amazing new chapter of crazy travel stories. The day
after the luncheon, WOA 2014 Chair, Jana Bott, was pleased to present Jann her
award.