​In 2002, the Zonta Club of Jefferson City established the “Mrs. William H. Weldon Lifetime Achievement Award” as a tribute to a women who had a tremendous mark on Jefferson City and beyond through her lifetime of work and service.

Mrs. William H. Weldon contributed much to the success of our community with her passionate commitment not only to her business, The News Tribune, but to children with disabilities.

In addition to building a strong business, Mrs. Weldon and her husband founded the Goshorn Handicap Center for children with developmental disabilities in 1960, in memory of her parents. That center later merged with another to create The Special Learning Center, which serves pre-school aged children.

Mrs. Weldon served the community in many other ways by providing, for example, the annual Christmas parties for disadvantaged children, helping establish a new shelter for the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service and operating a shelter for homeless animals. As a renowned breeder of American Saddlebred Horses on her Callaway Hills Farm, Mrs. Weldon was a national leader in the Saddlebred industry.
In the spring of 2002, Mrs. Weldon was featured in a state exhibit of famous Missouri women.

​Since its inception, the “Mrs. William H. Weldon Lifetime Achievement Award” has been awarded to the following women:

MRS. WILLIAM H. WELDON AWARD WINNERS

2003 – Rosalie Little
2004 – Aimee Morrow
2005 – Margaret “Billie” Railton
2006 – Florence Guhleman
2007 – Odie Dickens
2008 – Jeanie Moore

2009 – Shirley Quigg
2010 – Sally Sprague
2011 – Dorothy Lemke
2012 – Sabra Eagan
2013 – Marylyn DeFeo
2014 – Micca Ruffin

2015 – Peggy Kirkpatrick
2016 – Donna Westhues
2017 – Lorraine Mercurio
2018 – Debbie Hamler
2019 – Betty Jo DeLong
2020 - 2021 delayed due to Covid
2022- Judge Mary Russell