Henderson named to the 2022 Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll

Published 12:09 pm Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Johnson City — Longtime community volunteer and public servant Rebecca Henderson was recently named an honoree to The Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll.

In 2020, Points of Light created the Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll as part of The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards Celebration to shine a light on ordinary people going to extraordinary lengths to do good work in their communities. The Inspiration Honor Roll celebrates acts of service, kindness and civic engagement by outstanding individuals who create change in communities around the world.

The Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll recognizes individuals who are taking action and supporting their communities through one or more elements of the Points of Light Civic Circle.

“I am so humbled by this tremendous honor,” said Henderson.  “It may sound trite, but it’s true. One person can make a positive difference.  Often all it takes is just a bit of extra effort to effect positive community change, regardless of the size of your community.”

In nominating Rebecca, Mary Ellen Miller wrote, “Recognizing that hope for a positive future gives power to present leaders, Rebecca Henderson has served on more than four dozen nonprofit boards of directors, ranging in scope from local to international.  Her volunteerism spans over half a century of service.  Often working behind the scenes to accomplish goals that benefit a variety of communities, Henderson sees the power of collaborative partnerships. Regardless if it’s taking brownies to the local fire station or chairing a major event for one of her beloved nonprofits, Henderson works tirelessly to bring a smile to the face of other people.”

While most of Henderson’s nonprofit work has been through the auspices of membership-based organizations, such as the Girl Scouts, the Junior League, and Rotary, she also has given her time to a variety of other community benefit organizations.  Some of them include the Johnson City Community Health Center, the Children’s Advocacy Center of the First Judicial District (in Tennessee) and Ballad Health, a regional hospital system.

Henderson strives to be a leadership level community influencer, as she serves with significance.

“The Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll is a perfect illustration of the many ways individuals are supporting their communities. Rebecca Henderson exemplifies qualities of each of these characteristics,” said Miller. Those qualities include:

• Volunteer: Donates their time and talents inside and outside of their home to help their community or a cause they care about.

• Service: Commits their time, energy and skills to public, national or military service.

• Vote: Supports causes and candidates who are aligned with their beliefs. In democratic societies, voting is an opportunity to participate in national and local elections.

• Work: Uses their work as a springboard to advance in social issues.

• Voice: Uses their voice to influence their family, friends and others to raise awareness for issues they care about.

• Donate: Contributes money, services or goods to support the welfare of others or to advance ta social cause they care about.

• Listen & Learn: Purposeful in educating themselves to remain informed and think critically before acting to best serve their community.

• Social Entrepreneur: Has Identified a need that has not been met by traditional institutions, structures and systems, and has implemented a creative and innovative solution to drive change.

• Purchase Power: Choosing where to spend or not spend money in order to support businesses and organizations that reflect their values or advance a social cause.

Rebecca Henderson is the author of Serving with Significance: A Guide for Leadership Level Community Influencers.