Newsmakers 2016: Penny Williams

When it comes to Penny Williams and the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, you can't have one without the other.

Originally born and raised in Perryville, Missouri, Williams attended Southeast Missouri State University and earned a degree in recreation.

Working previously in Jefferson City, Missouri, and Scott City, she eventually landed her dream position with the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.

"I always knew I wanted to be in Southeast Missouri and I always felt like, what's the biggest, smallest town that I could live in, and that was Cape Girardeau," she says.

Now, 25 years later, Williams' passion for her position as the recreation division manager only has increased, along with her love for Cape Girardeau.

"I love Cape Girardeau, I love the atmosphere, I love what it's become," she says. "I've seen so much advancement since I attended college here, and then just to see the growth and to be a part of that, you know, it makes my heart full and it makes me feel like I've been a part of every step of the way with this community."

While in college, Williams and her husband, Scott, volunteered with the Special Olympics. Eventually the pair decided to help establish the organization in Cape Girardeau, which has been a staple in the community for the past 20 years.

"I have a real passion and a real desire that everybody should have an opportunity to participate, and that's the neat thing about incorporating Special Olympics in what we do, is that we provide opportunities for everybody," Williams says.

She says she enjoys her job because it constantly is evolving, and she has the opportunity to grow along with the department as it develops.

Being able to provide people with opportunities to have fun and spend time together is an added bonus.

Penny WilliamsLaura Simon

"There's nothing wrong with having fun, and we take the fun part of people's lives very seriously," Williams says.

Overall, the goal always is to create quality programs and activities for the community, whether that be organized sports, the Halloween haunted house or the annual Chili Day.

"Doing good for people, that's what we're about and making people's lives better, and making the quality here in Cape Girardeau better, and I'm happy to do that every day," Williams says.