Paula Vaughn and Lisa Moore Smith, both of East Liverpool, and Eddie Murphy of Wellsville were three of the four women recognized for their service to their communities during the River Valley Chamber of Commerce Ladies Luncheon Wednesday. Denise Taylor (not pictured) was the fourth woman recognized (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

EAST LIVERPOOL — The River Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized four area women for their outstanding contributions to local communities during its Ladies Luncheon Wednesday at the East Liverpool Country Club.

Recognized were Denise Taylor, Lisa Moore Smith, Paula Vaughn, all of East Liverpool, and Eddie Murphy of Wellsville.

Taylor was described by Darlene Kinsey, River Valley Chamber of Commerce, as having been the force and catalyst behind one of the most giving organizations long-established in East Liverpool.

Taylor is the director of the Community Resource Center. She is being recognized for her work at the center and providing countless resources to her clients such as food, youth programs, daycare, summer feeding, social activities and bringing services to the center to assist the young along with the elderly who depend on these vital services.

Kinsey said that Taylor is a mother, leader and tireless worker who is a child of God and servant to her church.

Taylor was unable to be present for the award presentation.

Smith was described by Kinsey as an inspiring woman associated with turning a city church, Grace City, into a place of worship and refuge for those who have little or nothing, down on their luck or homeless and a woman who works tirelessly to provide resources and to serve God. She is a wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother who serves her community with love.

Smith is the church’s pastor and she along with her husband and mother, according to Kinsey, have “turned Grace City into an East Liverpool ministry that turns no one away and finds a way to help guide so many to a better life for themselves.”

“I’m super surprised and had no idea. I appreciate just someone acknowledging the things we got going on at the Church,” Smith said.

Vaughn was described by Kinsey as an organizer extraordinaire.

She was recognized for the number of large community projects she and her husband Brian take on in East Liverpool such as Relay for Life, the Pottery Festival, the Christmas Parade, annual city-wide cleanups, team greeter for Special Olympics and more.

Vaughn has served as vice president and president of the East Liverpool Jaycees (later called the Beacon Associates), president of the Pottery Festival and Junior Jaycees advisor. She currently serves as treasurer for Kiwanis, youth pastor at Yeshua Assembly of God, co-captain of operation for the East Liverpool Alumni Association and is working to be a Key Club advisor at East Liverpool High School.

“If you want something done, this woman is always on the move and glad to help in any capacity. She was chosen to serve on the Board of Directors of our River Valley Chamber of Commerce this year and I so appreciate her willingness to be an active participant in any activity the chamber is a part of,” Kinsey said of Vaughn.

“I was surprised to get this award, I don’t do it for the recognition,” Vaughn said. “I do it to make my community a better place for everyone to live and to have events where families can come and everyone have fun together.”

Murphy was described by Kinsey as an amazing woman who leads under God and devotes her efforts in the name of the Lord and her dedication to her church in Wellsville.

Murphy was recognized for community leadership as the president of the Wellsville Community Foundation and her involvement in projects like the boardwalk repair and the opening of the East Liverpool City Hospital Wellsville Clinic.

She was also recognized for the restoration of the historic Daniel McBean Farmstead, built in 1846 and listed it on the National Register of Historic Places and for her reenactment of historical figures such as Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth. Murphy gives presentations across the country on Tubman’s life.

“I am humbled to be acknowledged for what I believe is a small part in giving back to the village in which I had my beginnings and love,” Murphy said.

None of the four women knew they were being recognized until their names were announced during the luncheon. Each of them was presented with a framed certificate thanking them for their outstanding contributions to their communities.

The Ladies Luncheon was held to gather women together to celebrate inspiring women and to honor the leadership, compassion and commitment of the women who make the River Valley area a better place to live, work and grow, Kinsey said.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com