On April 29, Virginia "Ginnie" Tietjens received one of the highest honors by the Garden Club of America (GCA), the Bonnylin Woods Martin Medal, presented

Ginnie Tietjens of Zionsville displays the Garden Club of America Bonnylin Woods Martin Medal, presented to her at their annual meeting in San Francisco,  California, on April 29.

to her at their annual meeting in San Francisco, California.

            Tietjens, a Zionsville resident, never saw this astounding achievement coming her way in an organization that has 18,000 members.

            "It's a pinch-me moment, I didn't believe it at first; when reality set in, I was really excited," state Teitjens.

            The purpose of the medal is to recognize flower arrangers at the highest level and to encourage their participation in GCA and international flower shows. Tietjens is the tenth recipient to ever receive this medal from the GCA.

            Tietjens was nominated for this award by the Huntingdon Valley Garden Club where she has been a member of since 1983.

            "The nine recipients before me are just goddesses; these people have traveled the world, doing demonstrations or giving lectures. I have

For 47 years Tietjens owned her own floral business designing arrangements  for brides.

never even taken a course, that's why I just couldn't believe that I won," stated Tietjens.

            Notified in June 2017 of winning this award, Tietjens had to wait before telling anyone of her achievement until April of this year when she flew out to San Francisco to receive the award in person.

            "I had to keep my award a secret, because this was a big deal," stated Tietjens.

            Among other award recipients at the annual San Francisco meeting was Laura W. Bush, former first lady, who received the Achievement Award.

            "It was an absolute pleasure to meet Laura Bush," stated Tietjens.

            Tietjens owned her own flower business for 47 years, but only considered

Using a Bird of Paradise bloom and folded flax leaves Tietjens created this Medium Niche arrangement at the Phila. Flower Show and took first plance in the  challenge class event.

floral designing as a hobby.

            "What I do is a form of creative expression, it is a hobby so you don't get money for it," stated Tietjens.

            At age 16, Tietjens said she originally fell in love with flowers when she attended her first Philadelphia Flower Show when chaperoning a trip. Now, she has been active in the Philadelphia Flower Show for almost 40 years as an award-winning exhibitor and judge.

            "My hobby turned into a business, but now I am back to it just being a hobby," stated Tietjens.

            Tietjens was also elected president for the 1993-94 year at the Huntington Valley Garden Club and served in multiple GCA national committee positions.

            In previous years, she served as a floral design judge for national competitions. Currently, she is considered a lifetime floral design and horticulture judge for the GCA.

            Just recently, Tietjens has been focusing her time teaching workshops on competitive floral designs, such a corsage designing.

            "I have given workshops before, but I am very limited to local events," stated Tietjens.

            In the community, Tietjens is actively involved in "Read Across America" at Hereford Elementary School, the Business and Professional Women's Club (BPW) and serves on the Domestic Violence Task Forced organized by the BPW.

            Aside from receiving the Bonnylin Woods Martin Medal, Tietjens has received a Harriet DeWaele Puckett Creativity Award in 1990 and 2010, which recognizes skill and creativity. She was also awarded the 2010 Barbara Spaulding Cramer Zone V Flower Arrangement Education Award and a 2003 Zone V Floral Design Achievement Award for outstanding achievement in floral design.