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CGOA/Jean Leinhauser Hall of Fame

Voting is now open for CGOA members to elect the 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee. Your Hall of Fame Committee has worked hard this year, doing research and picking 4 very exciting pioneers from the world of crochet to offer up for the members' final decision as to who we will induct. Induction will take place at the Chain Link Crochet Conference, this year it is in Portland Oregon July 26-29, 2018.

Initiated in 2010 under the leadership of board member Cari Clement, the CGOA Hall of Fame strives to reward and show appreciation for those who have made lasting contributions to the world of crochet.  The Purpose of the Committee is as follows:  
  • ·        To further the mission of CGOA: “The purpose of the Crochet Guild of America shall be to create an environment which provides education, networking resources, and a national standard for the quality, art, and skill of crochet through creative endeavors, and to preserve the heritage of crochet.”
  • ·         To add to the substance and richness of our CGOA tagline: “When you think crochet, think CGOA.”
  • ·         To celebrate icons who have spanned generations and have led the way to the current state of crochet today
  • ·         To build a celebrity status for these icons and publicity for crochet.
  • ·         To acknowledge the long history of crochet design.
  • ·         To provide inspiration to all CGOA members and to attract new attendees to conferences and build membership

The Criteria used by the committee is: "Think big, think creative, think icons. Focus on the amazing designers of the early 70’s or earlier, exceptionally skilled designers who paved the way for crochet to become what it is today – many of whom still provide the dynamic direction crochet continues to take;  crochet artists, those who take crochet in a totally revolutionary direction; serious devotion to crochet promotion and education while expanding the reach and knowledge of crochet to all of us; other promoters of crochet including gallery owners, authors, editors who extend interest in crochet beyond crafting limits; charitable contributions such as tangible gifts, scholarships, social outreach efforts."

Since then CGOA members have elected stellar candidates researched by the committee:
2011: Jean Leinhauser
2012-Margaret Hubert
2013-Rita Weiss
2014-Gwen Blakley Kinsler
2015-Lily Chin
2016-Doris Chan
2017-Carol Alexander
2018-WHO will it be?

The decision is in your hands as a CGOA member. Exercise your right to VOTE!

Candidates: Their bios and websites are included on the website so if you are not familiar, educate yourself before voting.
Karen Ballard




Nancy Nehring


Pauline Turner


Christine & Margaret Wertheim


We encourage all CGOA members to think about the committee purpose and criteria and encourage anyone to nominate a candidate for 2019. We also invite you to look at the "Who's Who in Crochet" list of websites for ideas that may intrigue you. For a Nomination Form, contact the CGOA office at
847-647-7500

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