The McMinnville branch of the American Association of University Women met July 21 for their annual banquet. The branch was organized in 1970, with their purpose to unite alumnae of colleges and universities on the AAUW list of qualified institutions for practical educational work and to help the community for the solution of social and civic problems as well as the development and promotion of the policies and programs of the association.
During the meeting, they recognized two deserving ladies of the community. Christie Allison was awarded the Hometown Heroine Award, and Joyce Britton was named Outstanding AAUW Member.
Allison is currently a new teacher induction coordinator for Warren County Schools, and has been involved in education for 28 years. She was a special education teacher for 19 years, and has served as an assistant principal and fifth-grade teacher.
She graduated from Warren County Senior High School, and earned her B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from Middle Tennessee State University.
The dedicated educator is a recipient of Walmart’s Teacher of the Year, and Teacher of the Year from Hillsboro Elementary and Warren County’s Teacher of the Month. She serves on several education committees and shares her time with various community projects.
“As a volunteer, I have worked many hours over the last 12 years with Kids of the Community,” says Allison. “Every hour I have spent with these children cooking, tutoring, celebrating birthdays, kayaking, trips to the movies, amusement parks and other activities has been priceless.”
She is the daughter of Sue and the late Gene Allison. 
AAUW’s Outstanding Member Joyce Britton is also an educator for the Warren County School System. She attended the University of Tennessee Knoxville receiving a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, and earned her master’s degree in supervision and instruction from Tennessee Technological University. She has been an educator for 20 years, and is presently teaching at Warren County Middle School as the technology engineering teacher.
Britton is the daughter of Monice and the late Olan McGiboney of Rock Island, and is married to David Britton. They have two sons Mac and Davey, and daughter-in-law Emily. 
She has been an active member of the AAUW since 1985, serving on many committees and offices. One of her favorite projects is taking a leading role in the AAUW Baby Show at the Warren County Fair.
She enjoys giving back to the community by being an active community volunteer by serving on many school sports booster clubs, 4-H volunteer leader, adult leader for her sons’ clubs and church activities. She attends Westwood Church of Christ, where she has been an active participant of the youth program.
The officers to serve for the coming year are: president, Virginia Ayers; first vice president, Tena Self; second vice president, Joyce Britton; recording secretary, Connie Bell; corresponding secretary, Loyce McGregor; and treasurers, Shirley Douglass and Virginia Ayers.