Two Spartanburg area women to be honored as Women of Distinction drive-in movie style
October 8, 2020
Girl Scouts of South Carolina–Mountains to Midlands will honor two Spartanburg area women at its annual Boots & Pearls: Women of Distinction Awards Celebration on Thursday, October 22, 2020 drive-in movie style. We planned a safe, social distanced way to recognize these incredible women. If you’ve been wanting to get out, but stay safe then jump in car and meet us at the Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds, 575 Fairgrounds Road, Spartanburg, SC 29305. The evening tribute recognizing women who exemplify excellence in service, leadership, community visibility, and professionalism begins at 7:00 p.m., but you’ll want to arrive early to park.
This year’s honorees are J. Ruth Littlejohn, Spartanburg City Councilwoman and Stacy McBride, Philanthropic leader and mother.
J. Ruth Littlejohn is a native of Spartanburg County. She attended Claflin University in Orangeburg, and as the wife of an Air Force Officer, she continued her education by taking courses at Minot State (North Dakota), Belleville College (Illinois) and Brevard College (Fl).
Prior to her retirement in 2007, Littlejohn was a successful Realtor for nearly twenty-three years. She was a licensed Realtor in Illinois, Virginia and Florida. She now serves as the District 3 representative of Spartanburg City Council.
She served as president of the South Converse Neighborhood Association from 2008-2013 and as Vice President from 2013-2016. Littlejohn serves as the South Converse Neighborhood Association newsletter’s publisher and editor.
In addition to being a City of Spartanburg councilwoman, Littlejohn serves on the Claflin University Board of Visitors, League of Women Voters, South Converse Neighborhood Board of Directors, Partners for Active Living and Keep One Spartanburg Beautiful Board. She has also held positions on several other boards, including ReGenesis Community Development Corporation, Historical Architectural Design & Review, Spartanburg Village Network, Women Giving & Spartanburg Citizen’s Advisory Council.
In 2014, she was appointed by Governor Nikki Haley to the Spartanburg County’s Voter Registration & Election Commission, where she served until resigning to serve on the Spartanburg City Council. Littlejohn is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Member of Epsilon Beta Omega Chapter of AKA Sorority, Leadership Spartanburg Alumni, Girl Scouts of South Carolina, Claflin University Alumni, Business and Professional Women, Spartanburg Southside Lions Club (Charter Member), Spartanburg County Grass Roots Alumni, and Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, where she serves on the Usher Board.
Littlejohn is married to Horace C. Littlejohn (Lt. Col. Retired, USAF). The couple has a son, Terry; a daughter-in-law, Michaelle; and a grandson, Zachury.
Stacy McBride has lived in Spartanburg for 28 years and during that time, has focused on working as a community volunteer for been children and families.
As a former volunteer with the Safe Homes Rape Crisis Coalition, she assisted victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She spent several years serving on the Spartanburg Art Museum Board. Stacy served on the Spartanburg Day School Board for 6 years and started the vacation Bible school at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, where she currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Christian Outreach Committee and on the Board of the Society of St. Paul the Apostle.
As President of Whites Mill Homeowners Association, Stacy ensures that her neighborhood is a safe and healthy one. As Board Chair-Elect for the Charles Lea Foundation, she serves the clients of the Charles Lea Center by organizing successful fundraisers which provide much needed resources for services for individuals with disabilities and special needs. The Center and the Foundation support the local population and families from all over the country who live and work nearby.
Stacy just finished two and a half years as the Board Chair of the YMCA Association Board – the first woman to do so. During her time as Board Chair, she spearheaded the initiative to build the Rob Chapman Youth Development Center.
On the international front, she has done philanthropic work with organizations around the globe. She serves the Thrive Global Project as President of the Board. Thrive Global Project is a 501(c)(3) that believes that breaking the cycle of poverty for the next generation begins with access to quality education. This can be through something as simple as providing school supplies for children entering kindergarten in inner city early childhood programs to providing supplies and backpacks to refugee students in war torn countries of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Stacy received a BA in Communications/Journalism and a minor in Business from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. She and her husband, Jack, have four children – John, Harry, Kate, and Sally.
For ticket information on this annual fundraising event, please contact [email protected], call 1-800-849-GIRL (4475), or visit gssc-mm.org. For sponsorship information please contact Lee Ann Maley at [email protected] or 864-208-2709
For more than 100 years, Girl Scouting has helped girls develop positive values and become active, responsible leaders in their communities. With emphasis on personal growth and leadership development through service to others, Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands serves thousands of girls, grades K5-12, in 22 counties of central and western South Carolina, including Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, and Union.
