Loes Hedge recognized as first recipient of honored Triplett-Veale Service Award from St. Joseph NAACP

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A newly-created service award was bestowed this December to one longtime educator revered for her commitment to St. Joseph and inspiring others.

Loes Hedge, retired educator and long-time St. Joseph Chapter NAACP Secretary, was announced as the first recipient of the honored Triplett-Veale Service Award at a recent NAACP annual reception held at the St. Francis Baptist Temple on Dec. 23.

The Triplett-Veale Service Award was created in remembrance of the late St. Joseph Chapter NAACP President Charles Triplett and also the late Mike Veale, NAACP Assistant Treasurer. The award will be given annually to an outstanding St. Joseph Chapter NAACP leader through an application process.

Loes Hedge was recognized for her inspiration of others. Her efforts have strengthened the NAACP’s mission and the broader community. Loes manages meeting minutes and organizational communications with exceptional efficiency and promptness. Loes actively recruits new members and several times a year assists in voter registration.

Loes is an active volunteer in Juneteenth celebrations and Black Archives Museum exhibits. During Black History Month, she visits schools to educate students about Black history, further demonstrating her commitment to community enrichment.

The honor comes after the NAACP announced the new service award in early December in honor of Triplett and Veale, two men who were dedicated to the work of the NAACP, the Bartlett Center and other agencies aimed at helping the community.

Veale was a well-known local labor leader, most recently the President of the Northwest Missouri Central Labor Council, as well as a huge supporter of public education, and a prior United Way volunteer. Mike passed in August of 2025.

Triplett was best known for his over ten years of dedicated service as President of NAACP St. Joseph Unit 4085. He was well known to travel across the state of Missouri to help those who needed guidance or support.