Miss Fannie is SHARE 2016 Woman of Power
Fannie Morrison is a much-appreciated Mutual Ground volunteer. She received the Woman of Power award at this year’s SHARE luncheon.
Miss Fannie’s Annual Yard Sale is a popular tradition on the lawn of Mutual Ground in Aurora. A day of great deals to support a much-needed local organization. But who is Miss Fannie?
Miss Fannie is Fannie Morrison, a woman who shows up daily to organize the clothes closet at Mutual Ground.
Morrison, a longtime Mutual Ground volunteer, was honored as the 2016 Woman of Power at the 8th annual SHARE Women’s Power Lunch held at Two Brothers in Aurora on Thursday, September 15.
Morrison was born and raised in Louisiana. As a young adult, she received a dietology degree at Southern University in Baton Rouge and went on to get her master’s degree in food management from the University of Iowa.
At the lunch, Morrison said she studied and later worked as a dietitian for money; it was after her husband passed away that she was called to serve. She recalled being told by a man what she couldn’t do, and she then set out to prove him wrong. She worked at St. Charles Hospital and turned around the kitchen at a state facility.
The yard sale that Morrison organizes each summer raises over $3,000 annually to help fund the shelter.
Outside of her work at Mutual Ground, Morrison volunteers at Hesed House cooking for the TLC guests every Christmas and tutors students in math and reading at Nancy Hill Elementary School. Morrison has also served food at Wayside Cross Ministries for almost 17 years. Morrison also teaches a bible class at the Fox Valley Work Release Center weekly.
Michelle Meyer, of Mutual Ground, presented Morrison with the award. Jeweler Karen Hollis presented Morrison with a custom piece of jewelry. Stephanie Kifowit read a poem by Richard Williams written to Morrison.
SHARE Fox Valley (Supporting Hope and Respecting Everyone) was founded by State Representative Stephanie Kifowit in 2009. In 2012, the first Woman Of Power was selected and honored at the luncheon. This award was adopted to be for women who are doing amazing things in the community. Recipients range from professionals and business owners to community volunteers, whose efforts bring positive change to our society.
For more information about SHARE, visit www.sharefoxvalley.com.
