Greenville Women Giving founders receive Order of the Silver Crescent from Governor Nikki Haley

January 30, 2017

Ceremony highlighted lifetime contributions of Frances Ellison, Harriet Goldsmith and Sue Priester

 

As Governor Nikki Haley prepared to leave office, she awarded the Order of the Silver Crescent to three Greenville community leaders – Frances Ellison, Harriet Goldsmith and Sue Priester.

The Order of the Silver Crescent is the state’s highest civilian award for significant contributions, leadership, volunteerism, and lifelong influence within a region or community. The Order of the Silver Crescent is a once in a lifetime achievement.

Greenville Women Giving and the Community Foundation of Greenville hosted a champagne brunch Saturday, January 14th at the new downtown Embassy Suites to recognize the women. Bruce Bannister, State Representative and House Majority Leader, presented the award on behalf of the Governor.

In 2007, Ellison, Goldsmith and Priester started Greenville Women Giving, a women’s collective giving organization that now has over 550 members and has granted over $4.2 million to Greenville County non-profits.  In addition, Ellison and Goldsmith are past Board Chairs of the Community Foundation, while Priester is the current Board Chair.

At one point or another, they have served on virtually every board in Greenville County, including the Greenville Health System, Greenville Tech Foundation, Furman University, United Way of Greenville County, Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Arts Council, Peace Center for the Performing Arts, Greenville Symphony Orchestra, Warehouse Theatre, The Children’s Museum, SC Children’s Theatre, Junior League of Greenville, W. W. Burgiss Charities, Greenville Area Central Partnership, and Cancer Society of Greenville.

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Left to right: Frances Ellison, Harriet Goldsmith and Sue Priester, co-founders of Greenville Women Giving