Mike Wolanin | The Republic Janice Montgomery is The Republic’s Woman of the Year for 2022.
An individual with a long history in education and volunteerism is being honored for her service to the community.
Janice Montgomery has been named The Republic’s 2022 Woman of the Year. The annual award, which dates back to 1981, is given to a woman from Bartholomew County who has contributed to creating a vital community.
As this year’s recipient, Montgomery will receive a custom-made necklace and $2,000 to be awarded to the charity of her choice.
An invitation-only event is planned June 7 to honor Montgomery. A cover story in the upcoming Women to Watch special magazine will feature Montgomery.
“This woman is a force of nature, with the power to educate, to give comfort, to organize, and to generate laughter,” wrote Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Cindy Frey in a letter of nomination.
Montgomery moved to Columbus with her husband in 1978. Her career in education includes work with the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp., the Community Education Coalition, and the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation.
She has also volunteered as schoolmarm at the historic Simmons School in Hope and served as co-chair of the Yes for BCSC political action committee during the school corporation’s 2020 referendum.
However, her service is not limited to education-related activities. According to letters of nomination from various community members, Montgomery has also volunteered at Columbus Regional Health, is an active member of the Garden City Church of Christ, helps organize the Deja Vu Art and Fine Craft Show and co-chaired the Columbus Area Bicentennial Volunteer Committee.
“Her hard work and dedication to the project, job, or initiative she volunteers for is hard to match,” wrote Alice Johnson. “It is difficult to imagine all the contributions Janice has made to improve the lives of the people who work, play, and learn in Bartholomew County.”
