Saturday, June 28, 2008

Rotary honors 4-H leader

Evelyn Cronce El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

The Rotary Club of Socorro defines their "Service Above Self" award winner as someone who does good works for the benefit of others and expects nothing in return. This year's award was presented to San Antonio resident Shirleen Greenwood.

The award can not be given to a Rotarian, according to community service director Greg Freidline.

Greenwood was chosen for her work with children, both rural and urban, through 4-H and the Socorro County Fair Board.

Born and raised in San Antonio, N.M., Greenwood joined 4-H at the age of 9.

Shirleen Greenwood and her husband, Marty, have been participating in the fair since they were both 4-H and FFA members as children. She said they competed against each other as children when he was an FFA member and she was member of the 4-H club Enterprise for Progress.

In 1974, she took over the pet show at the fair and Marty took over the livestock show. Their family built the Greenwood Barn at the Socorro County Fairgrounds. The barn was named after them for all the years of volunteer work they had done.

In 1975, Shirleen became president of the fair board and the first woman to hold that position. She said the board is strictly volunteer.

Shirleen also served on the board of Good Samaritan, was a member of the Socorro school board and was featured in the magazine, "New Mexico Women" as one of Socorro County's business leaders.

Marianne Cramer, who nominated Greenwood for the award, said she has known her for five or six years. Cramer worked with Greenwood at Socorro General Medical Group, where Greenwood was the practice manager.

"She is just amazing," Cramer said. "She helped hold things together during the transition from Socorro Medical Associates to Socorro General Medical Group, part of Socorro General Hospital."

Marj Austin, who presented Greenwood with the award also worked with her at the medical group. She said Greenwood was the one everyone would come to for answers and she always had one.

"Shirleen, what should I do?" Austin said she asked Greenwood on many occasions.

Greenwood said after 15 years, she recently left the medical group and has accepted a position as manager of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge's nature store, both online and at the refuge. She said the refuge is closer to her home and the pace is slower than the medical group.

"It was time to wind down," she said.

ecronce@dchieftain.com

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