This is the second of seven profiles of the 2019 honorees of the Outstanding Women of Clinton County Class of 2019.
Terri Thobaben joined the Wilmington Chapter of International Kiwanis in 2006, and she has served as president, vice president and secretary of her home chapter, and lieutenant governor for Kiwanis Division 4.
She has been active in Kiwanis BUGs (Bringing up Grades), the Wilmington Bike Rodeo, Kiwanis Soccer Classic, as well as other fundraising and service projects. Kiwanis also sponsors Key Clubs for high school students and Aktion Club for special needs adults.
She served as president of the Clinton County Retired Teachers Association, which raises money for students interested in becoming teachers.
She has served as president of the Wilmington Garden Club and has done much to beautify Wilmington’s Point Park by weeding, mulching, planting and pruning.
Another important group is Conversation Club, where she served as president, secretary and treasurer.
Terri also served with the Clinton-Massie wrestling and football boosters to raise money for uniforms and equipment.
Her latest endeavor is to help organize the Clinton County Association of Compassion and Truth (ACT). This is a bipartisan group of women that promotes social justice, encourages women to serve in elected office and provides service to the community.
For the past 16 years, Terri has served on the Clinton County Board of Health, and as president of the board since 2006. CCBH is charged with maintaining the health of the county when it involves immunizations for children, inspection of eating establishments, sewers and septic systems, solid waste and plumbing inspections.
From 1990 to 1995, Terri and her husband, Bob, led month-long expeditions with high school students to study biology and geology in the southern and northeastern United States, the Bahamas, Newfoundland, and the national parks of Colorado and Wyoming to Alaska and the Arctic Circle.
Presently, Terri lives on a small farm with her husband in Adams Township, Clinton County where she raises non-GMO corn and soybeans. The farm is preserved for farming in the land trust, in perpetuity. This blends well with her participation as a board member of Clinton County Open Lands (now Cardinal Land Trust) with the mission to protect farmland and promote conservation practices in a seven-county area. With rapid conversion of farmland to subdivisions, it is important to protect the remaining farmland for future generations.
Cancer has hit her family hard with the deaths of her sister, brother, and mom and dad. Terri participated in a large cancer prevention experiment and two smaller studies associated with the James Cancer Center in Columbus. She felt she had to do something to ensure that her niece, two nephews and her own children didn’t have to go through this tragic disease.
She raised $1,350 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and walked 26.2 miles in a marathon to help find a cure for those cancers as well.
“If there is a need, we must find a way to help!,” she said. “It is as simple as putting one foot in front of the other until you cross the finish line.”
Terri Thobaben is a whirlwind of activity, involved with improving our Clinton County community.
Tickets for the 2019 Outstanding Women of Clinton County luncheon are $25 (cash or check accepted, payable to “OWCC”). Reservations can be made at the Wilmington News Journal, 761 S. Nelson Ave., Wilmington, OH 45177. The News Journal’s office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
If you have any questions, please call 937-382-2574. Reservations will be accepted through Thursday, Feb. 28.
The event is sponsored by the Wilmington News Journal, with generous support from Clinton Memorial Hospital, Peoples Bank, Abbott Image Solutions, Wilmington Savings Bank and Wilmington College.
