HELENE S. BARNHART AWARD
In 2010 this award was instituted in memory of our founder to honor a member with years of outstanding service to the Redwood Branch, to be given in alternating years of the Jack London Award. Helene served as the branch's first president after she and 45 charter members founded the Redwood Writers.
2020 Helene S. Barnhart Award Recipient

JOELLE B. BURNETTE
Under unusual circumstances produced by the Covid-19 global pandemic, it was announced during an online (Zoom) general meeting on May 17, 2020, that Joelle Burnette was being awarded the Helene S. Barnhart Award for her service to Redwood Writers. The formal presentation of the award will have to wait until general meetings resume in person.
In 2014, Joelle became the website editor for Redwood Writers, and soon after, she became a member of the board of directors. During her tenure as web editor, she overhauled, updated, and re-designed the entire website to create a consistent, easily navigational, streamlined, professional style. Over the years, she also created a new sub-website dedicated to the RW conference, and designed all the graphics that go on the website (many of which carry over into, e.g., RW newsletters and fliers), among many more website features.
In addition to being the Branding Committee Chair and designing the Redwood Writers Press logo, some highlights of her service to Redwood Writers includes managing the chapter's Twitter page, as well as starting and managing the RW Pinterest pages that attract nearly 70,000 monthly views and 500 followers who visit 30 boards.
Joelle has worked on various RW anthologies, editing, proofing, participating in cover design, and offering a workshop presentation on editing pitfalls.
When she isn't working on RW books, the chapter's website, and its activities, she has authored several books, she recently became an award-winning screenplay writer, and she is an award-winning journalist (more info at JoelleBurnette.com). Concurrently, she is an artist with her work in galleries, stores, and online at JBBurnetteDesigns.etsy.com
Redwood Writers is so fortunate to have such a dedicated member. Congratulations, to the 2020 Helene S. Barnhart Award recipient, Joelle Burnette, and heartfelt thanks to you for your extraordinary service to our branch! You are what makes Redwood Writers so successful. You are a model for “writers helping writers.”
PAST RECIPIENTS

MALENA ELJUMAILY

ROBIN MOORE

JUANITA MARTIN

ANA MANWARING

KATE FARRELL
Past Recipients: Malena Eljumaily was awarded this award at the general membership meeting in April 2018. At the Redwood Writers Conference in April 2014, Juanita Martin was given this award for her long volunteer service to the Redwood Branch of the California Writers Club. Ana Manwaring was presented with this service award at the RW Conference in 2012. Kate Farrell was awarded the first Helene S. Barnhart Award from Linda Loveland Reid at Redwood Writers Club meeting in October 2010.
INA COOLBRITH AWARD
Ina Coolbrith Award: Periodically, the CWC Central Board bestows the Ina Coolbrith Award to honor a member for exemplary service to CWC and/or the Central Board.
(No Redwood member has yet received this award.)