Woman Named "Citizen of the Year" for Community Service
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: September 19, 2012
NORMAL--When Myra Gordon attended a community reception at the new Uptown Station, she had no idea she'd be part of the ceremony.
But Wednesday evening, she rose above the crowd to get one very big honor.
"I am so blown away by this it's just totally beyond my comprehension! It's like I'm in shock!"
But it's Gordon's years of community service that are putting her in the spotlight as "Citizen of the Year."
"I've sort of become passionate about things as I've been a volunteer," she explained. "People have inspired me and I wanted to carry that on."
Normal Mayor Chris Koos decides who gets the honor.
"It's really a selfless dedication," said Koos. "To other people in the community who are trying to make the community a better place to live."
But after hearing Gordon's introduction, the audience quickly learned earning "Citizen of the Year" is no easy task.
She's given countless hours to a host of activities, including empowering women through local education, expanding recycling efforts at the Ecology Action Center, and even strengthened ties between the United States and Asia by participating on the Sister Cities Committee.
"It's a joke in my family, when I'm going to retire," Gordon laughs. "But I do hope to continue for many more years."
While Gordon's work could not have been completed without her passion and dedication, she says the community also shares in her new award.
"They've stood up when we needed help, could never have done this by myself."
As more people chip in to lend a helping hand, Gordon hopes to continue making a difference for others.
The Town of Normal tradition has been taking place since the 1950's.
But Wednesday evening, she rose above the crowd to get one very big honor.
"I am so blown away by this it's just totally beyond my comprehension! It's like I'm in shock!"
But it's Gordon's years of community service that are putting her in the spotlight as "Citizen of the Year."
"I've sort of become passionate about things as I've been a volunteer," she explained. "People have inspired me and I wanted to carry that on."
Normal Mayor Chris Koos decides who gets the honor.
"It's really a selfless dedication," said Koos. "To other people in the community who are trying to make the community a better place to live."
But after hearing Gordon's introduction, the audience quickly learned earning "Citizen of the Year" is no easy task.
She's given countless hours to a host of activities, including empowering women through local education, expanding recycling efforts at the Ecology Action Center, and even strengthened ties between the United States and Asia by participating on the Sister Cities Committee.
"It's a joke in my family, when I'm going to retire," Gordon laughs. "But I do hope to continue for many more years."
While Gordon's work could not have been completed without her passion and dedication, she says the community also shares in her new award.
"They've stood up when we needed help, could never have done this by myself."
As more people chip in to lend a helping hand, Gordon hopes to continue making a difference for others.
The Town of Normal tradition has been taking place since the 1950's.
