Sikeston woman was one of inaugural First Lady Awards nominees

SIKESTON, Mo. — A Sikeston woman was honored by First Lady Melanie Blunt as a nominee for a First Lady Award.

Maxine Lambert, who was nominated in the volunteerism category for this new annual award, attended a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion with over 600 people for the award ceremony.

"I went to Jefferson City Tuesday and met with Mr. and Mrs. Blunt," Lambert said. "They awarded us with a paperweight and it says First Lady Awards of 2008."

Lambert first learned she was nominated for the award in February.

"I was nominated by Carolyn Jo Johnson," she said. "I was amazed. I got it first from the answering machine and I had no idea what it was all about. That evening my granddaughter and sister-in-law came over and told me what it was all about and I cried, of course. To live as long as I have and to be honored like that and get to go to it was amazing."

The nomination was submitted to recognize Lambert’s volunteer work with the local American Cancer Society office.

"It will be 20 years this fall in November," Lambert said. "I work Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. I work three hours a morning."

"It involves quite a bit," she continued. "Unless you are involved with something like this you have no idea what the volume is. Whatever there is to do, I do. We have so much mailing to do — I do a lot of the mailing, the posting."

If someone dies who is on the ACS mailing list, it is Lambert who removes them.

"I take them out of the computer to make sure we don’t mail them anymore. We mail a lot of literature," Lambert said. "Being involved with the Relay for Life there is so much mailing that goes out."

Lambert first volunteered her time for the American Cancer Society "because I am a cancer survivor. I’m from a cancer family and I felt it was my duty to do what I could to help others," she explained. "I’m just thankful I’ve been able to do it. I’m thankful I have lived as long as I have. I’ll be 86 in August."

Lambert didn’t expect volunteering for the ACS to end up being something she would continue to do for 20 years.

"No sir, I did not. Once you get involved in something like this and realize how many need help, you just can’t find a stopping point," she said. "I feel like as long as I’m able and needed, I will be able to volunteer."

Lambert had ample experience before beginning her life as a volunteer.

"I retired from the Missouri Delta Community Hospital," Lambert said. "I was a secretary — I worked in the emergency room admitting patients."

The First Lady Awards were created to honor inspirational women whose lives and contributions are making a significant and lasting impact on Missouri, according to a news release. In addition to volunteerism, categories include business and innovation; culture and humanities, education and health and wellness.