ORWIGSBURG - Attorney Debra A. Smith-Sullivan was honored with the Orchid Award on Sunday by the Pottsville Business and Professional Women's Club.
The award recognizes a business or professional woman in the Pottsville area, who in addition to achieving recognition in her profession, is involved in the community.
"Today will be a very special day for a very special lady," Joan Breslin, co-chairwoman of the club, said.
Without mentioning a name until the very end, Breslin listed the accomplishments and some personal history about the woman who would receive the award.
She said the winner was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, received her bachelor of science in law and justice from Penn State University and also holds a juris doctorate from Widener University School of Law, Harrisburg. Currently, she is an attorney in the assistant district attorney's office in Schuylkill County.
Smith-Sullivan lives in New Philadelphia and is on the borough council. Also, she volunteers with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Schuylkill County and various local and state organizations.
"I don't know how she has time to even eat or breathe," Breslin said.
Smith spoke humbly about receiving the award.
"I'm speechless. How many times does that happen?" Smith-Sullivan said to the 83 people in attendance the Schuylkill Country Club.
Smith-Sullivan said she does what she does from the heart.
"I don't deserve to be here," she said after her sister, Joan Trosterud, 53, of Schuylkill Haven, pinned a purple orchid to her clothing.
She also received a silver pin in the shape of two women with a purple stone in it from the club.
Smith-Sullivan said her parents taught her to give back to the community.
"I do things that I believe in," she said.
Her mother, Joan Smith, 78, of Pottsville, said she is proud of her daughter.
Smith-Sullivan has four brothers and one sister.
Her brother, Jim Smith, 48, of Pottsville, said he had one word to describe his sister.
"Compassion is what makes her do a lot of what she does," he said.
Trosterud agrees with that.
"Debbie puts everyone else's needs before her," she said
Trosterud said she tells her sister to slow down and take a break at times, but only sometimes does she listen.
"She's my baby sister but I look up to her," Trosterud said.
Usually held in October, the event had to be moved due to the closing of the Pottsville Club last year, Justina Majestic, co-chairwoman of the club, said.
There are 43 members of the club. The women vote by secret ballot for the honor, then a committee selects the winner.
The first award was presented in 1946, Sarah Donohue, former president and chairwoman, said.