Call to Action: Jefferson Award nominees

The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America.  They began in 1972 to create a Nobel Prize for public service. Today, their primary purpose is to serve as a “Call to Action for Volunteers” in local communities.

Did you know that athletes give back to their communities more than most groups?  Well, it’s true. Check out some of their random acts of kindness.

This month, voting begins for the prestigious national Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Athlete.   A list of highly impressive nominees includes the following women:

Cheri Balwut – Paralympic Gold Medalist

Brandi Chastain – Soccer player

Lauren Fleshman - Long distance runner

Sara Hall – Runner

Mia Hamm – Soccer player

Lindsey Harding – Basketball player

Ana Ivanovic – Tennis player

Jelena Jankovic – Tennis player

Jessica Mendoza – Softball player

Angela Ruggiero – Hockey player

Kerri Walsh – Volleyball player

If you’re not already familiar with these inspiring women, you need to be. Click here to read about the incredible things these athletes are doing and to vote (by November 15th) for your favorite nominee.

Duke retires Lindsey Harding’s No. 10 jersey

DURHAM, N.C. Jan. 20, 2008  — Duke retired Lindsey Harding ’s No. 10 jersey on Sunday, honoring the winningest point guard in school history.

Harding, a 5-foot-8, 140-pound guard, was the first Duke player to be picked No. 1 in the WNBA Draft when she was taken by the Phoenix Mercury and then traded to the  Minnesota Lynx. She was honored during halftime of the Blue Devils’ game against North Carolina State as a banner bearing her number was unveiled in the rafters at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

“It’s great because I came here and I left my mark, and it’s always going to be here,” Harding said before the game.

Harding became just the second women’s player in Duke history to have her number retired, joining Alana Beard, whose No. 20 was honored in 2004.

The 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference female athlete of the year was the second player in Duke history with 1,000 points, 500 assists, 500 rebounds and 250 steals. She finished her career last season with a school-record 579 assists and led the Blue Devils to a school-record 128 victories during four seasons from 2002-07.