“Miss Betty” is Manatee County’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year

Miss Betty doesn't need a last name. Like all of those others known by a single name — Beyonce, Bono, Cher and Madonna — Miss Betty is known for her deeds. Of course Miss Betty's deeds are all local and they don't land her in the tabloids. 

Miss Betty is Betty Lou Glassburn of Duette and she is Manatee County’s Distinguished Citizen of 2012. The award was given at a luncheon which kicks off the Manatee County Fair that opens Thursday evening. And it came as a total surprise to this single mother of three.

Glassburn racked up 36 years (and counting) of work in 4-H, and is a founder of the Mighty 4-H'ers of Duette. She serves on the Manatee County Agriculture Museum board, is a Florida master gardener, member of the Manatee River Soil and Water Board, and treasurer of the Farm City Week committee.

The list goes on. She is the founder of the Florida 4-H Leader Forum, the Oustanding 4-H Volunteer of Florida in 1983, Manatee County’s Agriculturalist of the Year in 2007 and a member of the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame.

“I enjoy doing things,” she said. “I didn’t want the recognition.”

When she put her mind to hurricane relief, suddenly vans full of clothes and food began to appear, and disappear to those in need in eastern Manatee County in 2004.

“As others raised funds and purchased food and hygiene products and other necessities, Betty would send out lists of the ages and clothing sizes of children so we could send out request to donors for specific needs,” recalled Shirley Groover Bryant.

And when Glassburn felt Duette needed better fire protection, she started with a World War II tanker truck, and now the community has a modern fire engine and a community fire station building. And she worked to help open a branch library in town too.

“’Miss Betty’ is the most unselfish, sincere, dedicated and untiring leader of youth that I have ever had the good fortune to work with,” Royce Williams wrote in a letter endorsing her candidacy. Williams is retired from the Manatee County school system.

The Manatee River Fair Association has been making the annual award since 1956. A list of the recipients on on the association's website, and posted on the eastern wall just inside the 17th Street entrance to the fair. 

Glassburn supported her family as a school bus driver and has worked with the Manatee County Extension Service for the past 10 years as an office assistant.

“On behalf of our community, I really appreciate this award,” she said.