Beaver Water District Presents Leadership Award
Since 2017 , Beaver Water District presents the Sarah Jessie Young Leadership by Example Award to a woman who exhibits strong leadership daily . This is the story of the woman after whom the award is named .
In the 1870s , Sarah Jessie Young moved to Fayetteville , determined to start the city ’ s first photography business . After a year in Fayetteville , lacking wealth , education , and social connections and pregnant with her first child , she was abandoned by her husband .
The social mores of the time were such that women whose husbands voluntarily left them were considered flawed by polite society . She couldn ’ t vote , she didn ’ t have a bank account , child care services were non-existent , and she had no building from which to operate her business .
After her divorce , she purchased a vacant lot at 5 South Block Avenue on the Fayetteville Square where she constructed a small wooden building . In 1887 , she replaced it with an ornate , two-story brick building . She put her studio upstairs and rented out the street-level storefront to provide steady income .
She worked as a noted portrait photographer until retirement and continued to receive income from leasing the building on the everbustling square .
With her determination to make her business succeed , she overcame the challenges of a woman of her time . She participated in church and the businessman ’ s organization — the forerunner to the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce . Her building still stands on the Square with her name permanently emblazoned beneath the pediment : “ Mrs . Young .”
Also on the Fayetteville Square , embedded in the sidewalk , are bronze plaques recognizing the winners of the Sarah Jessie Young Leadership by Example Award . These women teach us all how to lead by example .
Award winners thus far have been Cathy Foraker , Blake Woolsey , Liz Fulton , Carol Hart , Dr . Martha “ Marti ” Sharkey , Jessie Bryant and Jamie Fields .
This year ’ s Sarah Jessie Young Award recipient will be announced at the Women of All Generations event , honoring a women who exemplifies leadership , community impact and generational influence . Her commemorative plaque will join those of the previous winner on the Fayetteville Square , where Mrs . Young ’ s building still stands proudly .
TO REGISTER AND
PURCHASE TICKETS fayettevillear . com 479-521-1710
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS Member $ 85 Non-member $ 110
GROUP TICKETS ( 8 ) Member $ 600 Non-member $ 800
APRIL 22 3:30-6:30 p . m . Fayetteville Town Center 15 West Mountain Fayetteville , Ark .
FAYETTEVILLE MEANS BUSINESS 2025 • 7