In 2007 the Women's Ministries Department at the Seventh-day Adventist world headquarters began a tradition of honoring living Adventist women for their outstanding achievements as women in their fields and for their contributions to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Honored as Adventist Women of the Year 2019 are Carla Baker, Helen Gulfan, Iris Kitching, Andrea Luxton, and Hannele Ottschofski. The awards ceremony was held during Annual Council at the dinner for female members of the General Conference Executive Committee, October 14, 2019 in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. Gulfan of the Philippines and Ottschofski of Germany were not able to receive their awards in person.
For the first time, General Conference Women's Ministries department honors two women's ministries division directors: Carla Baker (North American Division) and Helen Gulfan (Southern Asia-Pacific Division). Iris Kitching worked as administrative assistant to general vice presidents of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Andrea Luxton is president of Andrews University of Seventh-day Adventists. Hannele Ottschofski is author and leader in women’s ministry.
Photos: WMGC: Gulfan and Baker
Women of the Year List of Awards
When Annual Council is held away from the General Conference headquarters, it is impossible to host a dinner for the female members of the GC Executive Committee. For this reason, no award was given in 2008 when Annual Council traveled to the Philippines, nor in 2018 when Annual Council convened in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA. Women's Ministries did not give awards in 2017.
A plaque hangs on the wall next to the photos of generations of Adventist Women of Distinguished Service with the engraved names of the women who have been honored by the headquarters staff during the dinner. Pictures and biographical sketches of these women will be posted in the near future.
For more Information go to: women.adventist.org/adventist-woman-of-the-year-award-2019 2019:
Carla Baker
Helen B. Gulfan
Iris Kitching
Andrea Luxton
Hannele Ottschofski
2016:
Audrey E. Andersson
Odette R. Ferreira
2015:
Carol Thomas Barron
Charlotte Ishkanian
2014:
Kari Paulsen
Nancy Wilson
2013:
Susana Chaskelis Schulz
Judith A. Thomas
2012:
Eugenia Giordano, M.D.
Donna Jackson
2011:
Ya Ja Lee-Nam
2010:
Linda Mei Lin Koh
2009:
Daily J. Flores Orion
Katia G. Reinert
Ella Smith Simmons
2007:
Gina S. Brown
Carolyn Luce Kujawa
Eleanor James Trefz