The group awarded 27 grants, each worth $500, plus a special $1,000 grant in honor of former Twin Cities chapter president Charlotte Preston, who died last year

The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) has awarded its 2016 member grants, including the first-ever Charlotte Preston “Gets It Done” grant, named for the late president of the WJA Twin Cities chapter who died last year.

Amanda Bilberry received the Charlotte Preston grant; she will use the $1,000 award to take a course in jewelry appraisal.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have won such a special grant in honor of such an extraordinary woman,” said Bilberry in a statement. “I’m sad I was never able to meet her, but I am honored to have received this gift in her name.” 

The organization awarded 27 other grants of $500 each to female, professional-level WJA members in good standing.

The winners are below, listed by nominating chapter.

Boston: Wendy Jo New

Chicago: Sue Crady, Kerry Gilligan, Alison Neumann, Anne van der Meulen

Colorado: Kate Swasey

Dallas: Laura Stanley

Florida: Maryann Scandiffio

Los Angeles: Tanya Parikh

NY Metro: Amy Glaswand, Gabrielle Morris, Madeleine Roslow, Karen Sampieri, Jane Schiowitz

Northern California: Feurene Chew, Brenda Flanders, Sawyer Riley

Ohio/Kentucky: Kate Pleatman

Providence: Loren Barham, Lauren Paquin, Marilyn Salvatore

San Diego: Judy Colbert, Tara Hesselroth, Kathryn Timmerman-Susak 

Seattle: Kelsey Kovach

Twin Cities: Jacqueline Gerhart, Diane Munsinger

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