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An Ishpeming woman was honored by her peers for her life of service on Monday.
During its annual luncheon, The Evergreen Award of Marquette County honored Tia Rodda as its newest recipient. Evergreen Committee Chair Kori Bjorne said Rodda sets a great example for the people in her community.
"This year a leader emerges who not only works tirelessly for the community, but also ignites a fire within others to create positive change," Bjorne said. "She was described by one of her former employees as the best mix of friend and mentor ... helping her develop and grow so that she could get a new position at work, even though it meant losing (the person) as her employee."
Rodda, according to an Evergreen Award of Marquette County release, is a well-known face behind the scenes as a grassroots volunteer who also cultivates a community of volunteers.
Rodda works tirelessly a member of the Ishpeming Kiwanis Club, a member of the Ishpeming Fourth of July Committee, and chair of the Ishpeming Fourth of July Parade.
She has served on the board of the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce, was a fan favorite in Dancing with our Stars Marquette County Style, and an active member of the Westwood High School Booster Club and numerous other groups. Rodda does all of this in addition to her career as the assistant vice president and regional manager of Nicolet Bank.
"Every year I am at this luncheon I think of ways to describe the recipient. Sometimes it's tenacity, commitment, compassion ... while all of these certainly apply to Tia, I think the best word for her is also love," Bjorne said. The love for her family, her team, the work that she does, her community, volunteering, and inspiring others to volunteer. It all seems to start with love when Tia is a part of it."
Rodda said she was surprised to learn she was this year's award recipient.
"I sit here every year and hear about these amazing women, but I'm just ME," Rodda said. "I can't even believe it."
The luncheon also honored last year's recipient, Roxanne Daust, who told her story and thanked the people who helped her along the way.
We would like to congratulate Rodda for receiving this honor. She is clearly humbled by the experience, but we can't think of a more worthy candidate.
Keep on doing what you're doing, because it is having a huge impact on our community.