Teresa Shoop sat quietly among coworkers gathered for MEOC’s annual employee picnic as Executive Director Michael Wampler began reading excerpts from the nomination for the 2026 Mae French Outstanding Older Worker Award.
“This person is described as an exceptional team player who consistently goes above and beyond to support our team and organization … dependable, dedicated and always willing to step in wherever needed … demonstrates exceptional service, loyalty, commitment and kindness in the workplace …”
As Wampler continued, the clues began to pile up.
This year’s award recipient is “one of the first faces and experiences a new employee has when joining our organization,” he said. Still, Teresa’s expression gave no hint she realized he was talking about her.
That changed when Wampler announced her name. With eyes wide and mouth agape, Teresa looked stunned before standing to join Wampler at the front of the room.
“I’m totally shocked and humbled,” she said as she accepted the plaque and thanked her coworkers for the honor.
Teresa’s name is the 35th to be added to the list of recipients of an award with a history that reaches back more than three decades.
It began with Mae French.
Ms. French was born in Bluefield, Virginia, in 1895 and moved to Norton as a young child. She volunteered for two years at MEOC’s Norton nutrition site before becoming an employee through the Green Thumb program in April 1976. She was 81.
Ms. French worked at the nutrition site until illness forced her to stop in 1993, at age 98. She believed strongly in church, community, family and work. She was known for her kindness and generosity and served as a mentor and role model to people of all ages. She died in November 2000 at age 105.
The MEOC Board of Directors established the Mae French Outstanding Older Worker Award in 1994 to recognize her leadership, her contributions as an older worker and her dedication to MEOC’s mission. Each year, the award honors an MEOC employee age 55 or older who demonstrates the qualities Ms. French exemplified: service, loyalty, commitment and kindness.
Teresa’s coworkers see those same qualities in her.
Teresa began her MEOC career 27 years ago in In-Home Services. After nine years, she transferred to the business department. Today, she works in human resources and accounts receivable and has built relationships with employees throughout the agency.
She helps new employees through the onboarding process, conducts orientation and assists employees with benefits, questions and concerns.
“Teresa is one of the most dedicated employees at MEOC,” her nominator wrote. “She truly believes in the mission of our organization and brings that commitment into everything she does.”
Because Teresa is often one of the first people new employees encounter at MEOC, she also has an early opportunity to help them understand the people behind the work. She talks with new employees about the needs of the individuals MEOC serves and encourages them to approach their work with compassion and respect, keeping each person’s dignity and well-being at the center of what they do.