NASHVILLE, TN.- Ellen Harrison Martin will be presented the 2008 Jane and Guilford Dudley Philanthropic Award of Excellence at the annual Cheekwood Society Celebration on Thursday, November 13 at Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art.

Each year, the Cheekwood Society Celebration is held to thank significant donors to Cheekwood and present the Dudley Philanthropic Award of Excellence. The award, first presented in 1994, goes to exemplary individuals who have dedicated visionary resources and time to Cheekwood.

"As a long-time donor and supporter of Cheekwood, Ellen is a community leader who has been instrumental in providing significant gifts and planning numerous events at Cheekwood, both helping to increase the visibility of Cheekwood," said Jack Becker, Ph.D., President/CEO of Cheekwood. "We are grateful to Ellen for her outstanding contributions to Cheekwood."

Ellen joined Cheekwood's Board of Trust in 1995 and served for six years before becoming an honorary trustee. She has played a significant role in furthering Cheekwood's mission over the years by providing financial contributions and lending her time and expertise. She was a vital part of Cheekwood's "The Future of Cheekwood" capital campaign in the late 1990s. Today the Martin Boxwood Gardens and the Philip Harrison Martin lobby in the Museum of Art are testimony to her great generosity.

Ellen plays a leadership role in many community organizations in and around Nashville. She has been recognized many times for her involvement, most notably with The Crowning Achievement Award in 2002 by Senior Citizens Incorporated, The Philanthropist of the Year award in 2001 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and The Sustainer of the Year in 2000 by the Junior League of Nashville. Ellen currently serves as Chairman of the Executive Committee for The Symphony Ball, Co-Chairman of Executive Committee for The Frist Gala and on the Board of Trustees for Friends of Warner Parks and the Nashville Ballet, where she will be the 20th Anniversary Honoree Chairman for the 2009 Ballet Ball. Ellen was Chairman of the Opening Night Gala for the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in 2006 and the Honorary Chairman for the first Frist Center Gala in 2004.

"The Cheekwood Society Celebration is a perfect setting to honor Ellen. We are pleased to be able to recognize her for her many contributions," said Paul Sternberg, M.D., Chairman of Cheekwood's Board of Trust.

Past Dudley Philanthropic award honorees include Mrs. Horace Haworth, 1994; Mrs. Walter Sharp, 1995; Mr. & Mrs. Albert Werthan, 1996; Mrs. Guilford Dudley, 1997; Mr. Monroe Carell & Mrs. James C. Bradford, 1998; Mrs. Douglas Binns, 1999; Mr and Mrs. Billy T. Sumner, 2000; Roberta Lochte-Jones, 2001; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Diehl, Jr., 2002; Sigourney Cheek (Mrs. James Cheek), 2003; Alice Ingram Hooker (Mrs. Henry Williamson Hooker), 2004; Alyne Massey (Mrs. Jack C. Massey), 2005; Betty Stadler (Mrs. James R. Stadler), 2006, and the late David K. "Pat" Wilson, 2007.