What is the award and why did Ross receive it? Here are five things to know:
1. Jenell Ross is in many ways a pioneer
Some 21 years ago, Ross assumed the leadership role at a group of auto dealerships her father Robert P. Ross Sr. started nearly 45 years ago. She became president after her mother, Norma J. Ross, lost a battle to breast cancer in 2010.
Those who know Ross say she is very much her parents’ daughter. The mantra in her family was: “God blesses us so that we may be a blessing to others,” Ross said in accepting the award Thursday.
RELATED: Ross to receive Dayton's top volunteer leadership award.
Ross and her company are not just well known in the worlds of Buick, GMC and Mercedes-Benz. She is the only second-generation African-American woman auto dealer in the nation — and the first African-American-owned Mercedes-Benz dealer in the world.
2. When Ross speaks, people listen
She has testified before Congress, sits on the University of Dayton Board of Trustees and the Cincinnati branch of the Federal Reserve Board of Cleveland and many other community and charitable organizations. She has been profiled by national magazines, and her shelves are heavy from the awards she has won.
3. The Citizen Legion of Honor Award recognizes service to others
The honor goes each year to those who exemplify unselfish service to others, and by all accounts, Ross’ life is a shining example of that ideal. She has served on numerous local boards, but she is perhaps best known locally for her work against breast cancer, in honor of her mother. The Norma J. Ross Foundation leads the way in that work, as does Ross’ trademarked “Pink Ribbon Driven” campaign.
4. Ross is in select company
Past honorees of the Citizen Legion of Honor Award comprise something of a who’s-who in Dayton and beyond: Virginia Kettering, former University of Dayton President Brother Raymond J. Fitz, U.S. District Judge Walter Rice, Oscar Boonshoft, Doris Ponitz and dozens of others.
5. How can you get involved?
October is national breast cancer awareness month, so this is a good time to get involved.
If you would like to make a donation directly to the Norma Ross Foundation, go to: www.pinkribbondriven.org
The Making Strides of Dayton walk against breast cancer is Oct. 20. To donate or learn more, go to http://main.acsevents.org/goto/prd
About the Author
