Lydia was born and raised in Bristol.  She attended Immanuel Lutheran School and Bristol High School.  In high school, she became known for her outstanding athletic abilities in tennis, volleyball, and basketball.  She graduated in 1935 as one of the best female athletes known to Bristol.  In 1936, she broke the world’s single score record in duckpin bowling.  Lydia was the leading duckpin scorer from the 1930s to the 1950s.  Lydia was the first and only female to bowl in the “A” Mercantile League.  In the 1940s, she captured 4 first-place titles in the Ralph Strong Tennis Tournaments.  Lydia worked 40 years for the Bristol Board of Education before retiring in 1977.  Lydia is best known as the best all-around woman athlete of the time.  The nominee must be female and involved in athletics.

Award Winners

2020	Patricia Tomkil Johnson
2019	Jillian Sullivan
2018	Chryss Watts
2017	Tami “Chap” Chapman
2016	BriAnne Bruni Newman
2015	Meegan Wright Martin
2014	Stacy Mills Rivoira
2013	Michelle Guerette
2012	Jen Hadley
2011	Stacey Porrini-Clingan
2010	Tamara Stafford-Kirk
2009	Ginny Ziogas Torreso
2008	Kim Corbin Varasconi
2007	Kristen Peterson Blandino
2006	Kathy Ferrier Gibson
2005	Patti Kalat
2004	Dee Valerio Matyka
2003	Gail Ericson
2002	Beverly Strong
2001	Maryellen Holden
2000	Laura Lishness
1999	Joanne Galati
1997	Debby James
1996	St. Stan’s Ladies Basketball Team