
Catholic Woman of the Year Honorees

The SCCCW Catholic Woman of the Year is named at the Annual SCCCW Convention. The nominees are Catholic Women of the Year from the six Deaneries. The Honoree chosen as the SCCCW Woman of the year is presented a sterling silver Our Lady of Good Counsel Medal. The tradition began in 1952.
Past Honorees
2023 Catholic Woman of the Year

Martha Faller Becht
Martha was born in Charlotte, NC. In 1958 the family moved to Columbia, SC and joined St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was educated in the Catholic schools and graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Kurt and Martha married in 1973 and have 2 sons and 3 grandchildren. Due to Kurts job, the family moved around and finally settled back in Columbia in 1984. Martha retired as a School nurse in 2019 after 48 years. She is a member of the SC Association of School Nurses and the National Association of School Nurses. Putting her faith and desire to serve her church community into action, Martha taught CCD classes while in High school and college. She was a choir member for over 40 years. Martha is a member of the St. Joseph Women's Society as well as the Columbia Deanery, SCCCW and NCCW. Martha has served on many levels of council on the affiliate, deanery and state levels. At her children's school she was on the PTO Board, Homeroom Mother, Hospitality Chair/Co-chair and Chair of the Health Committe and a Baseball Team Mom for many years. As a School Nurse, Martha did a lot of community outreach for her students: ensuring that there were extra coats, and warm clothes in the Nurse's office for those in need and worked closely with the School Social Worker assisting her when needed. She organized and coordinated Flu clinics and the Mammogram van for the Faculty and Staff. She continues to hold her CPR certification. During Covid - Martha helped the ladies from St. Joseph Women's Society sew cloth mask for students, parishioners, Health Care Workers and the homeless. She is involved with food for the bereaved
receptions to set-up, serve or clean-up.
Maria Carrero
Rosalyn Woodson Frierson-Smith
Jeanette Altenburg
Mary Ann Schoch
Carol Lintner
Anna Sudomerski
Peggy Moulton
Mary Hughes Shumpert
Mary Ann Turner
Claire Wagner
Iris Young
Mrs. Cherrin Moore
Mrs. Pearlie Harris
Mrs. Maria Leal
Mrs. Nina McCuniff
Mrs. Sophie Sagrera
Mrs. Debra Cubra
Ms. Elease Amos-Goodwin
Mrs. Ann Marable
Mrs. Harriet McKie
Mrs. Pat Schmidt
Mrs. Corrine Tomihiro
Mrs. Josephine Dennis
Mrs. Cecilia Velte
Mrs. Ann Mitchum
Mrs. Betty Shepherd
Mrs. Judy Godbee
Mrs. Esther Tecklenburg
Mrs. Margaret Holihan
Mrs. Jeanne Casey
Mrs. Willie Mae Adams
Mrs. Ruth Duncan
Mrs. Willie Thompson
Mrs. Harriet Condon
Mrs. Albert T. Waters
Mrs. Amelia Taylor
Mrs. Elaine Roberson
Mrs. William Tallon
Mrs. John Arisman
Mrs. Ethel Grantham
Mrs. Mrs. Leslie Woppman
Mrs. Ruth McNamara
Mrs. Melvin Merritt
Mrs. Ronald Thomas
Mrs. Woodrow Wiggins
Mrs. John Hartnett
Mrs. Clara Zolnierowicz
Mrs. Isiah Williams
Mrs. L. A. Clements
Mrs. Gladys Vinzani
Mrs. George Williams
Mrs. R. W. Deganhardt
Mrs. Melvin Sams
Mrs. Elizabeth McClure
Mrs. Mary Francis
Miss Agatha Spellman
Mrs. T. J. Nolan
Mrs. James England, Sr.
Mrs. Edward Foley
Mrs. Joseph Dermody
Mrs. Norman J. Marsha
Mrs. Jennie Reynolds
Mrs. H. A. Beagle
NO CONVENTION HELD
Mrs. J. L. Shannon
Mrs. Russell Sanders
Mrs. Rosalie Lighthart
Mrs. Carl Niggel
Mrs. Vincent Caggiano
Mrs. David Biggs
Miss Marie May
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
1969
1968
1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
1962
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
1953
1952







