Price embodies principle of giving back

It is with immense pleasure that the Women Honoring Women Committee awards a Lifetime Achievement Award to Joyce Price, a woman who embodies the principle of giving back to her community through service and leadership. As one of the many people who submitted nomination letters for Joyce stated: “It is through people like Joyce that our community thrives.”

Joyce credits her parents with teaching her to give back. “My parents were philanthropists and raised us to be sharing and giving. While I was employed, I didn’t have as much time to volunteer as I would have liked, and giving back to the community where I live is something I looked forward to in retirement. When Mike and I moved to Sandpoint, we immediately got connected with the Monday Hikers and found out about opportunities for volunteering. It has been such a rewarding experience. I hope to be able to give back for many years to come.”

True to her word, Joyce currently serves on the board of directors for North Idaho Habitat for Humanity and the Community Assistance League. She is the past president and current secretary of the local chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, an organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities for female students worldwide. In addition to the Monday Hikers, she regularly volunteers at the Festival at Sandpoint, the Festival of Trees, the Bonner County Museum, the Long Bridge Swim and with Bonner County Elections.

Joyce was born in Tacoma, Wash., the youngest of six children. “I had a twin sister who was 10 minutes older than I, so I was truly the youngest.” She attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, earning a bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Joyce has a lifelong passion for learning. She followed that first degree with a bachelor's in Computer Programming, a bachelor's in Business & Information Systems, and a master's in Project Management. Joyce worked for Boeing as a senior manager in the security division until her retirement in 2016.

Following their retirement, Joyce and her husband, Mike, relocated to Sandpoint. “We vacationed in Sandpoint every year for about five years and loved the area. It had everything we were looking for: A small community, water, mountains and four seasons. We initially moved here for a ‘trial’ of one year, but quickly decided this was the place we wanted to stay.”

The community members who nominated Joyce as a Woman of Wisdom praised her character, her work ethic and her drive and determination: One wrote: “I have known Joyce for several years, volunteering alongside her in the Community Assistance League and at Bizarre Bazaar. Her dedication to getting the job, any job, done is amazing. She draws people to her with her quick smile, calm demeanor and great wit. No job is too hard; no challenge is unmet.” Another stated: “This woman inspires me on a daily basis with her fortitude, honesty, clear vision and dedication to all she does.” And finally, “All that she does is done quietly, without looking for recognition and done with grace and kindness. She champions the accomplishments of others, looks for the good in people and never complains.”

Joyce loves the outdoors and being active. When she is not working at one of her volunteer jobs, you will find Joyce outside hiking, snowshoeing or kayaking with her husband and friends. The Women Honoring Women Committee was formed to recognize Bonner County women who contribute to the betterment of the community through their service and leadership. Joyce Price is just such a woman. Please join the committee in honoring Joyce and her fellow recipients on June 17, 2023, at our Gala Brunch. Reservations will be accepted until June 9, 2023, from Diane Stockton at 208-290-6362 or stockton_diane@yahoo.com.