Alice Hurley, 2011 Leadership In Diversity Award Recipient
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina honored Alice Hurley with its inaugural Leadership In Diversity Award at its Celebrations and Awards Luncheon on June 13, 2011.
The Leadership In Diversity Award, established to commemorate the Foundation’s 15 years in philanthropy, recognizes an individual or organization that illustrates exemplary performance in the area of diversity and inclusion. The award honors those that serve as a model and whose accomplishments are made through community engagement, awareness, bridge building, compassionate leadership and courageous advocacy.
Hurley has touched the lives of thousands of people through her work as a psychiatric social worker and a school social worker, starting in 1967 in Richland School District One and serving until her retirement. As a licensed social worker in South Carolina, Hurley received many honors and citations, including being named 1995-96 Social Worker of the Year. In 1996 she and her husband received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Carroll Campbell for their work acting as a catalyst in bringing the Greater Columbia Urban League to South Carolina. In 1997 she was honored by the Congaree Girl Scout Council as a Woman of Distinction, and in 2003 she received the Pioneer of the Year award from the University of South Carolina College of Social Work. As cofounder of the Columbia Urban League, Hurley and her husband, Tony Hurley, were recognized in 2010 by the Columbia Urban League for their outstanding achievement and many years of unselfish giving of themselves to this community. She has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina Board of Trustees from 2001 through 2010.
“In years gone by our paths as child advocates crossed often. As a school nurse in rural Lexington County, I admired and respected her as the coordinator of School Social Workers in one of the largest school districts in our state – and so did many others. She cared so very deeply for all people and treated all people with such respect, dignity and compassion, especially children and youth,” said Dee Dee Chewning, secretary of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina Board of Trustees. “She stood for what was right even when it may not have been the popular choice. Recently it has been my joy and pleasure to, again, serve alongside her on this board. What an honor and privilege it is to call this ‘Renaissance Woman’ my friend.”
Hurley received a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University and Master of Social Work from Atlanta University. She is a licensed social worker in the state of South Carolina and is also a licensed funeral director. Ms. Hurley retired from Richland County District One in 1996 as coordinator of school social workers.
“Alice Hurley is no stranger to this community or to the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina,” said Tom Keith, Sisters of Charity Foundation president. “She is a woman of great faith and shares that faith so willingly with others. We admire her commitment to diversity and inclusion and are grateful for the opportunity work alongside her. Alice is very deserving of the Foundation’s inaugural Leadership In Diversity Award.”
To view pictures from the Celebration and Awards Luncheon, click here.
Pictured: The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina 2011 Leadership In Diversity Award
Pictured: With her family behind her, Alice Hurley accepts the 2011 Leadership In Diversity Award from Sisters of Charity Health System President Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA.
Pictured: Alice and Tony Hurley at the Foundation's Celebration and Awards Luncheon
Pictured: Alice Hurley, former Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina Board Member