Mina Walker Wood was awarded the 2010 Massie Medal for Distinguished Achievement at the Garden Club of Virginia Annual Meeting held at the Jefferson Hotel. She has served her garden club, her community and the Garden Club of Virginia with loyalty, diligence and creativity. A native of Lynchburg and a graduate of Sweet Briar College, Mina has been a member of the Lynchburg Garden Club since 1968. As president of her club from 1982-84, she started the Lynchburg Garden Club Endowment Fund, a model and catalyst for other club endowments. She has been successful in furthering environmental and conservation issues that the club has undertaken. She was an active participant in raising money and awareness to beautify the Lynchburg Expressway entrances. Many other organizations have benefited from her interests including Lynchburg Historical Foundation, the Southern Memorial Association and the Point of Honor Board of Managers.
Mina’s skill and talent as a landscape designer are evident at Cabell Street Park in Lynchburg. She worked on the Miller-Claytor House front garden, designed to complement the one in the rear created by Charles Gillette.
The GCV has benefited from her tremendous energy and gifts of diplomacy and vision. She has held most board positions and major positions on committees of the GCV. She organized and expanded the library at the Kent-Valentine house, served on the Journal committee and as Restoration Chairman. As president from 2000-02, Mina traveled extensively with her presentation, Landscape Architects of the Garden Club of Virginia including a speech delivered to the Southern Garden History Society. Most recently she was instrumental in launching the successful new Symposia in response to the Strategic Plan. Her vision, helpful nature and generous disposition brought a concept into reality.
The GCV has given its most prestigious award to Mina for her effective and unselfish dedication.
