United Way of the Midlands Palmetto Society honored Dr. Suzan D. Boyd and M. Edward Sellers, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina CEO, with the 2007 Humanitarian of the Year Award

“This dynamic couple has demonstrated the ability to make powerful lasting improvements to advance the common good in our community,” said Mac Bennett, president and CEO of United Way of the Midlands.  “We are grateful for their leadership and contributions and are proud to honor them with the 2007 Humanitarian of the Year Award.”

Suzan D. Boyd, Ph.D., former executive director of The South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, increased the nonprofit agency’s annual revenues from approximately $400,000 to $1,600,000 during her five-year tenure. This surge in revenue allowed an increase in staff and in the agency’s capacity to fulfill its mission. The rate of teen pregnancy in South Carolina has dropped by 33% over the last 10 years, due in great part to Dr. Boyd’s leadership and thoughtful direction. This program is regarded as a leader for other states in this field.

Dr. Boyd participates in the annual March of Dimes Walk America and the First Ladies Walk to Fight Breast Cancer. She chaired the Board of the Columbia Museum of Art while leading the search committee to hire a new director for the museum. She also helped to institute Free Saturdays so that all Midlands visitors can enjoy the museum at no cost.

She also “adopts” disadvantaged children by paying for summer camp, school supplies and other needed items, reading and homework mentoring.

Ed Sellers is the Chairman and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, one of the area’s largest employers. Under Ed’s leadership, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina has been in the forefront of charitable action. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the company and its employees sent more than $1 million to the Red Cross. BlueCross has funded seven Habitat for Humanity houses that were built by company employees with Ed’s encouragement.

He has also served on the boards of United Way of the Midlands, Central Carolina Community Foundation, ETV Endowment and Palmetto Project. Under his leadership, BlueCross has become the largest contributor to United Way of the Midlands with employees pledging more than $1 million each of the last four years. Mr. Sellers has the unique vision and leadership to positively motivate his employees, his colleagues and his friends to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

In addition to his service on boards and commissions, Ed has led the development and creation of New Carolina, South Carolina’s Council on Competitiveness. This group is working with partners to create a New Carolina with a brighter future and a competitive, winning economy. He has also worked with others to create the Covering Carolina Collaborative to make affordable and accessible health care coverage a priority for South Carolina.

More about the HOY Award

Established in 1984, United Way of the Midlands’ Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented annually to a recipient who has clearly demonstrated extraordinary leadership in philanthropy and human services.

The highly selective criteria for the award ensure its position as one of the highest honors in the Midlands.

Nominations are accepted from members of the Palmetto Society and its selection committee, which consists of United Way Board and Leadership Giving Program Members. Members of the Selection Committee are not eligible to receive the award while serving on the committee. 

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION:

• Committed to the voluntary system of human service
• Creative in approach to serving the community
• Outstanding in providing leadership and working with others over a sustained period of time
• Inspirational in encouraging others to work hard to help others
• A change agent whose actions have a major impact on changing and saving lives
• An investor in the community through the United Way process and its network of human service agencies

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About United Way of the Midlands

United Way of the Midlands is the most organized, efficient and accountable system for investing in the community.  With more than 80 certified partner agencies, United Way works to identify and respond to the critical human service needs of Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg and Richland counties.  Funds are raised through workplace campaigns, grant writing and individual donations.  For more information, please visit www.uway.org.