Awards
Valiant Woman Awards, Young Christian Woman Awards, and Human Rights Award
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CWU of Greater Dayton: Valiant Woman Awards The winners in 2026 are: Gerralyn Wood and Cecelia Long A Valiant Woman is a woman who has given service to CWU, her church, and her community. She may or may not be an actual leader, but is always someone who leads by example. A Valiant Woman is a woman who lives the Gospel message in her everyday life. A certificate and a lapel pin is given to each of the recipients. |
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Jerri Wood
Jerralyn Sue (Scott) Wood was born in Columbus, Ohio and grew up on a farm outside Marysville, Ohio in Union County. Jerri went to a small school in New Dover and many of school mates still remain close today. She loved travelling at an early age as her parents Jack and Anna Jean took her and sister, Nancy on summer vacations usually to Lake Erie and eastern US .. She became the guide helping to map directions. After graduating from Marysville High School, she began her college career at Otterbein College in Westerville. There she met her husband-to-be, Brian Wood. They married the summer following her graduation (1968). She earned a Bachelor of Education degree and began teaching in Lima, Ohio (Shawnee schools). Brian was drafted into the US Army after one year of living in Lima and she followed him to San Antonio, Texas and Lawton, Oklahoma and then Aschaffenburg, Germany. Being in Europe gave them the opp011unity to travel to Paris, Rome, London. Amsterdam and so many wonderful places in Germany. Upon returning to USA they lived in Lima and then moved to Dayton, Ohio where Brian pursued his education. While in Dayton, she got her Masters in Education at University of Dayton (1989). She did substitute teaching for seven years and then taught elementary students in West Carrollton Schools until retiring in 2006. Her son Brenden resides in Dayton and daughter Lisa (Jordan) in Maplewood, New Jersey with James and three grandchildren. A special joy of life has been spending time with her grandchildren. She and Brian have travelled to Ireland, Nova Scotia, Nassau and to so many National Parks and almost annually to Great Smoky Mountains. In their 57 years together they have traveled to many, many places. Besides teaching in elementary schools, while in Germany she worked for US Army - cataloging books for miliary base libraries across Gem1any. That experience prompted her love of being church librarian at Dorothy Lane American Baptist Church. Other volunteer positions have been to teach Sunday School (adult and children), Vacation Bible School, organizing Pioneer Club involvement for several years, as church moderator for multiple terms .. She volunteered as board member of Dayton Christian Center on W. Riverview. She served in American Baptist women's groups locally, in Dayton area and state board. Serving on Dayton Emmaus teams was a wonderful experience. In 1995, she got involved in Dayton Church Women United. She has been Key Woman from her church since 2008 and Denominational Secretary for many years. She served as Chairperson of Ecumenical Development, Ecumenical Celebrations, Ecumenical Action, President (2017-19 and 2022-24) and most recently Finance Chairman. Involvement in Church Women United has been rewarding as she has worked with so many wonderful women from various denominations. Attending East Central Region conference in Detroit (2018) and Indianapolis (2022) were highlights as well as many state events. She has a love of reading especially Max Lucado and Agatha Christie (would love to have been a spy or detective). Her favorite spiritual songs are: "His Eye is on the Sparrow" and "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms." Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 51: 10. |
Cecelia M. Long
Cecelia Morene Long grew up in Roanoke, VA where she was the oldest of four children of George and Arletha Long. She and two of her siblings integrated the public school system in Roanoke in 1960. She integrated Hollins College in Roanoke, VA as the first African American to attend the all-women's college on a full-time basis. She majored in German and minored in sociology and has a Masters in Social Work. Cecelia moved to Dayton in 2002 and worked at the General Council on Ministries of the United Methodist Church, headquartered In Dayton. She later became Director of Mercy Manor Transitional Housing Program for women who were ex-offenders with histories of drug and substance abuse. She joined Church Women United, the founding organization for Mercy Manor. She is Key Woman from Fairview United Methodist Church where she has leadership positions. She served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Finance Chair, and is currently the Nominations Chair of CWU in Greater Dayton. She serves on the board of CWU in Ohio. Cecelia believes a Valiant Woman is a woman who loves the Lord and serves where needed. Cecelia line dances regularly as her main form of exercise. 1 Timothy 4:4 says, "For everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.'' |
CWU Young Christian Women's Award
There were no nominees for this award in 2026.
There were no nominees for this award in 2026.
CWU of Greater Dayton Human Rights Award
The winner in 2026
will be announced in October 2026.
will be announced in October 2026.
Church Women United is committed to supporting organizations and processes that provide food and other needs for our community members. Having access to healthy food and shelter on a daily basis is a basic human right which Church Women United is proud to honor.