The SHARON SPRIGGS GOLDEN RIBBON
The Sharon spriggs gold ribbon award
The award was originally called the Gold Ribbon Award as breastfeeding is the gold standard of infant feeding. Our loyal and amazing Coalition member, Sharon Spriggs, passed away in 2009 and it was decided by the group to rename it in her honor. Sharon was faithful in attending almost every meeting and served as the historian. In her quiet yet determined way, Sharon influenced many of us in the breastfeeding field in South Carolina. When she wasn’t involved with Coalition work, Sharon was the Breastfeeding Coordinator for the Lowcountry Region WIC program and was very instrumental in establishing the Peer Counselor Program.
The award is given to someone in South Carolina who has gone above and beyond in protecting, promoting and encouraging breastfeeding. The candidates are voted on by members of the steering committee and announced each October. Nominations are accepted through the August Quarterly Meeting through the online application form below.
2024 Award Recipient:
Tisha Felder, PhD, MSW
Dr. Tisha Felder is a behavioral scientist and Associate Professor (with tenure) in the Department of Biobehavioral Health and Nursing Science at the University of South Carolina College of Nursing (CON). She is also a core faculty member of the CON’s Perinatal, Pediatrics, and Family Research Center and the Cancer Survivorship Research Center. A South Carolina native, Dr. Felder’s community-engaged research focuses on identifying solutions to reducing and eliminating racial and socioeconomic disparities in breastfeeding and breast cancer outcomes among Black women. Dr. Felder co-founded Mocha Mamas Milk®, a research and support initiative to improve breastfeeding among Black families in South Carolina. In addition to research, Dr. Felder is passionate about mentoring students and enhancing diversity in the maternal health and scientific workforce. She is a proud wife and mother of three.
Gold Ribbon Award Winners:
1997 Kelly Price Rainwater 2003 Thomas Payne 2020 Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network (WREN)
1998 Janice Bacon 2007 Ann Calandro 2021 Carol L. Wagner
1999 Sharada Pai 2010 Starla McGorty 2022 Jamarius ”Benji” Collins
2000 Greta Harper 2011 Rachel Miller 2023 Naomi Hambleton
2001 Sharon Spriggs 2014 Lin Cook
Sharon Spriggs