The Midlands lost two outstanding leaders recently, Judith Monastra Davis and Cathy Novinger. It is especially noteworthy because both of these individuals were pioneers in Women’s Rights and women holding key positions in our neck of the woods. Both of them became high-level executives in two of the largest corporations in South Carolina, SCANA and Blue Cross, and both gave generously of their time, talent and treasure to the betterment of our community.

Judy and her husband, Jerry, became personal friends of mine, and she served with me on several boards, including the Cultural Councils of Richland and Lexington counties, and the Central Carolina Community Foundation. She was also a part of United Way of the Midlands, the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, Trinity Housing Cooperation, and many more organizations.

Cathy Novinger was equally accomplished, and served in numerous organizations, including Palmetto Agribusiness Council, Midlands Business Leadership Group, the State Board of Technical and Comprehensive Education, and many more.

I believe that both of these women, if they were with us today, would support my newest effort, WREN, which I have featured in a previous KellyGram. Both Judy and Cathy were awesome examples of women in leadership and philanthropy. They will be sorely missed.

Judith Monastra Davis