Jean Maritz Hobler, a major philanthropist , the founder of the ALS Hope Foundation (now Hope Happens), as well as a board and committee member of numerous non-profit organizations in the St. Louis community, was honored for her tremendous volunteer efforts at the 52^nd Annual Women of Achievement Luncheon on Tuesday May 15th at the Ritz Carlton in Clayton. 

She was recognized as a Woman of Achievement for Humanitarian Concerns because of her numerous accomplishments and good deeds within the community.  Since 1955, when this prestigious recognition was first established, over 500 St. Louis area women have received this coveted award.

For over 40 years, Jean has served the community of St. Louis in a variety of ways, both as a hands-on volunteer, as a leader, and as a philanthropist.  She was a long-standing Junior League member, including writing and producing a 4-week half-hour program which aired on Channel 2.  In conjunction with the Junior League, Jean also started the Over There Neighborhood Community Center under the auspices of Major Alfonso Cervantes' Council on Youth.  Jean led the effort to purchase a house, establish a board of directors and staff the center with volunteers from the Peace Corps.  It thrived for several years.  During the 1970s, she volunteered at the Washington University Women's Society, where she eventually served a two-year term as Co-President.  Jean established an Ice Cream Parlor in Mallinckrodt Center and hired and supervised students who worked there.  Along with her late husband Wells, she Chaired the United Way's Alexis do Tocqueville Society.  Membership in the Society is granted to individuals who contribute at least $10,000 annually to the United Way Campaign.

In addition to serving as Board president of the Friends of the Art Museum, she devoted much of her time at the St. Louis Art Museum volunteering as a docent.  As she led tours, she personally shared her knowledge and love of the museum and its wonderful art collection.  Culturally, Jean has had a major impact on the dance scene in St. Louis, serving for many years on the board of Dance St. Louis and its predecessor, the Dance Concert Society.  She helped establish the aTrek Dance Collective, a not-for-profit organization of St. Louis-based dance artists dedicated to the development of local contemporary modern dance programs. The Dance Collective serves school children, pre-professional dancers and adult audiences in St. Louis and surrounding areas.  Jean helped its artistic director form a board of directors and raise funds.  She and Wells also gifted Webster University, where she has been a Trustee for more than a decade, with the Ballet Studio at Webster University.

In 2001, Jean and her family formed the ALS Hope Foundation/Hope Happens in memory of her father, James Maritz, and her son, Chris Hobler, both of whom had suffered from this devastating disease.  By 2004, in collaboration with Washington University Medical School's Department of Neurology, the Hope Center was created.  Jean currently serves as Chair of the Hope Center Executive Commitee and is an active supporter of the Hope Center mission.

Jean is a very active volunteer, sponsor, fundraiser and strong advocate for the study and research of the various neurological disorders that are at the heart of the Hope Center.

Click here to listen to an audio vignette about Jean's award.