Carol Mathias, left presenting the 2003 Distinguished Service Award to Cindy Smolovik

Longtime SSA secretary Cindy Smolovik received the Society of Southwest Archivists Distinguished Service Award at the May annual meeting in New Orleans. Following are remarks made by Carol Mathias, Immediate Past President and chair of the Awards Committee, when she presented Cindy with the well-deserved honor.

"Cindy is an archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration, Southwest Region, in Ft. Worth. Previously she served as City Archivist / DMARC Manager in the Office of City Secretary, Dallas, Texas, as Archivist in the History and Archives Division of the Dallas Public Library and as Archivist/Librarian, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Archives, Jewish Community Center of Dallas. 

"During her years of archival work Cindy has served our community in many capacities.  She has been SSA secretary since 1996 (!), served as co-chair of the Program Committee for the meeting in Flagstaff, served on the Local Arrangements Committee for the meeting in Ft. Worth, served on SSA by-laws and policy manual review teams and helped in the creation of several membership directories. 

"In addition to her stalwart service to SSA, Cindy has also been a national figure. She was secretary and newsletter editor for the Academy of Certified Archivists from 1998-2001.  She has also served on the ACA Exam Development Committee and on the ACA Certification Maintenance Review Committee. 

"SSA is honored to recognize Cindy’s years of outstanding service to the archival profession with its Distinguished Service Award.
 

All the Things I was Too Overwhelmed to Say…

By Cindy Smolovik

When you visit the Society of Southwest Archivists (SSA) website you  will find this statement of purpose:

“The Society of Southwest Archivists is a  professional organization established to stimulate and make available research  in archival administration and records management; promote sound principles  and standards for preserving and administering records; foster opportunities  for the education and training of archivists, records managers, and custodians  of private papers; and strengthen relations with others in allied disciplines and  with organizations and institutions having mutual interests in the  preservation and use of our recorded heritage.”

SSA lives up to this mission year after year with a first class newsletter, a terrific annual meeting, and members who  participate locally, regionally, nationally, and sometimes even internationally whenever and wherever possible in the education of others and  promotion and preservation of history, culture, and 'recorded  heritage.'

Although it may sound trite to say so, it is my honor,  privilege and pleasure to be a part of this organization.  To say I was surprised at the annual  business meeting in New  Orleans to find myself as the recipient of the  Society's Distinguished Service Award would be an understatement!  Oh yes, I was indeed surprised, but  also shocked, amazed, touched, and deeply honored and of course grateful. 

I have been very fortunate in my career to work  with and for people who value the contributions we all can make to our  profession.  Robert Sloan and  Laura McGee (City of Dallas,  Texas) encouraged me as a young archivist  to volunteer on committees, be brave enough to present papers, chair sessions,  to be involved in shaping the profession.  Kent Carter, Meg Hacker and John H.  Smith (National Archives and Records Administration) continue to encourage me,  as a not so young anymore archivist, to stay involved and to pass on what I  have learned to others.  There are  so many past-Presidents, officers, board members, committee chairs, and SSA  members who it has been my pleasure to know and work with.  Whatever I have done could never been  accomplished alone.  Special  thanks to Carol Mathias, Carol Roark, Shelly Henley Kelly, Charles Schultz,  David Gracy, Robert Schaadt, Laine Sutherland, Laura McLemore, Leon Miller,  and the list could include so many more.....