Altrusa International’s New Zealand chapter presented Kay Edwards with its Margaret Inch leadership award at its recent annual conference in Wellington.
Edwards, who was "quite astonished", has belonged to Altrusa for almost 31 years and has twice been club president, a director for four years and chaired several local committees.
She’s visited Queenstown’s sister club Richardson, in Texas, in the United States, three times, and been to international conventions in San Antonio, in Texas, and in Quebec City, in Canada.
"Her leadership has been an integral part of connecting her club with the community," her citation reads.
Asked the buzz about Altrusa, she says "it’s fun and it’s great fellowship and we’re doing things for the community, which is nice".
"I never considered myself as a leader, I just go and do things."
She says a highlight was being convener for the national conference the club hosted in 2003.
The Margaret Inch award also recognises those who are big contributors in their community, which Edwards has been.
She was involved in Search & Rescue for about 10 years, been treasurer and committee member of the tramping club, been active with the RSA and the Whakatipu Poppy Trust and hosted a Plunket Garden Tour fundraiser.
A former legal executive — one of NZ’s first — for 46 years, she’s also mentored young legal executives.
