Our “Heart” of Hearts: Celebrating 25th Years
Is your passion and heart for the industry so strong it becomes you?
Dorothy Penner’s passion is explained in her statement “You have to have heart and do it with passion so strong it becomes you. You live, breathe, eat and sleep this industry.” So, in the month of love, hearts and romance we kick off our award season.
Who was Dorothy Penner of Louisville, Kentucky? As a child, she witnessed the work of her mother, Dorothy Schuler, a seamstress., who was known for her lovely veils and detail work. (Imagine her, being a little girl with bridal veils all around.) Dorothy was destined to be in the industry! In her early married years, she was on the board for the Miss Kentucky pageants. She would prep the contestants, and escort Miss Kentucky to the Miss America pageant. Her work history included being a corporate meeting planner. She worked with hotels, event companies, caterers, and florists in the area. Her passion led her to being a wedding planner at night and on weekends, while working as a meeting planner during the day. She worked a lot, but she loved it according to her daughter, Beth Torstrick. PWP™.
“Miss Dorothy”, as she was affectionately called by her peers, believed that members should be passionate about the industry, willing to share with other members, attend local ABC meetings, and recognize the value of the ABC annual conference. She attended conferences annually, including months before her death in 1998 of cancer. To offer someone the opportunity to subsidize their expenses to annual conference, she established the Miss Dorothy Scholarship Award.
Dorothy exuded the “heart” of our organization. The Miss Dorothy Penner Heart Award for Passion and Excellence to the Wedding Industry was established by ABC to honor her. For this, the 25th anniversary, consider nominating someone with passion for the industry, or be a scholarship recipient! Applications are being accepted…don’t wait!
