MOUNT VERNON — Soroptimist International of Mount Vernon and Knox County presented its 2025 Live Your Dream awards to Brianna Williams and Kelley McGruder.
The Live Your Dream award provides women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families with a financial award to offset costs associated with attaining higher education.
The first-place award winner is Brianna Williams. Williams works with young adults on career development, as the emerging talent coordinator with Aspyr, the workforce board of Central Ohio.
While she is helping these young adults reach for their dreams, she is doing the same for herself.
Williams will complete her associate’s degree in political science at Columbus State Community College later this year. She will transfer to John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, where she plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in public management, leadership and policy. She is also the mother of two children–one recently diagnosed with type-1 diabetes.
Second-place winner is Kelley McGruder, a hair stylist who also studies business administration at Columbus State Community College. She is completing her associate’s degree with the goal of continuing at The Ohio State University to complete her bachelor’s degree.
McGruder plans to use her degrees to take her business to the next level so that she can train, recruit, and be a brand ambassador. Besides her focus on working and studying, McGruder is involved in her church, regularly goes to the gym, and cares for her 18-year-old son. He is active in sports, and she never misses one of his events.
The Live Your Dream Awards were presented at the EmpowHER event sponsored by New Directions, the domestic abuse shelter for Knox County.
About Soroptimist International
Soroptimist of Mount Vernon and Knox County is part of Soroptimist International, a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
The local Mount Vernon Club supports local women and girls through financial awards and educational programs. Anyone interested in joining Soroptimist of Mount Vernon and Knox County, can contact the group through Facebook or send a note indicating interest to P.O. Box 1303, Mount Vernon, OH 43050.
Knox Community Hospital proudly supports the vibrant pulse of our community by sponsoring the Life & Culture section on Knox Pages, celebrating the stories and experiences that make our region unique.