As Shann Purinton approached the podium at the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville’s meeting Tuesday afternoon, all eyes were on her. Purinton, the first woman ever to hold the title of District Governor within Rotary’s ranks, shared with the group that she had nothing but the highest of hopes for the future while acknowledging the past.
“The year ahead will be among our most important because it is the first year of our second century,” said Purinton, who has been an active Rotarian since 1990. “I look back and see how much the world has changed in the past 100 years and I’m amazed.
“I can only imagine what lies ahead.”
Purinton later praised Rotary’s worldwide fundraising and good will efforts, saying that with a continued commitment to excellence and a growing membership more would be on the way.
Purinton is retired from St. Johns River Community College in Palatka, where she was vice president of student affairs for 18 years.