IN VIDEO: Women for Madison honors two leaders with philanthropy awards
Dr. Joanne V. Gabbin and LeAnna Headley ('22) recognized at the Purple Ball
News
James Madison University
The 2025 Women Who Amaze Summit was punctuated with JMU celebrating the transformative philanthropic spirit demonstrated by literary history-maker, Dr. Joanne Veal Gabbin, and young advocate for pediatric cancer awareness, LeAnna Headley (’22). Through their generosity, these women embody the message that Dukes "pay it forward" through legacy and impact. Watch the videos below:
An indelible mark
Dr. Gabbin first joined the campus community of JMU in 1985 as a Commonwealth visiting professor and has since become a beacon of inspiration for Harrisonburg’s growing population of scholars. From her 19-year directorship of JMU’s Honors program — now known as the Honors College — to her historic initiation of the decennial Furious Flower Poetry Conference, she’s delivered generous investments to Dukes and literature alike.
Alongside her husband, Alexander, the philanthropic duo have given to numerous scholarship funds in the College of Business and the Honors College. Their influence has culminated in the eponymously named Gabbin Hall on the Quad.
With high esteem and respect, Women for Madison honored Dr. Gabbin with the Leslie Flanary Gilliam (’82) Spirit of Philanthropy Award, recognizing her years of commitment to JMU and the Harrisonburg and Staunton area.
Watch Dr. Gabbin’s award video:
Nothing short of extraordinary
LeAnna Headley’s story demonstrates her leadership, resilience and commitment to her values and mission. She co-founded Dukes Against Childhood Cancer, a student-led organization dedicated to raising awareness for pediatric cancer, with her advocacy reaching as far as Capitol Hill. Despite launching in the midst of the pandemic, LeAnna and her co-founders pressed through all while still attending classes at JMU.
Her philanthropy for the pediatric cancer community spans years. She founded Our Amazing Fighters in 2014, a nonprofit that provides care packages and support to young cancer fighters nationwide. In 2021, she was recognized by Madison's secret society, IN8, for her altruism.
Since graduating in 2022, LeAnna continues to support JMU through giving to causes that resonate most with her.
In acknowledgement of her compassion and commitment to pediatric care, Women for Madison dubbed LeAnna the first honoree of the Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award.
Watch LeAnna’s award video:
Photographs by Rachel Holderman