Stephanie Joyner, the Pinal County Historical Society and Museum’s first executive director, has won the 2023 Humanities Award from Arizona Humanities. She was named this year’s Rising Star.

“Every year we honor and celebrate outstanding contributions to the humanities in our state. Since the inaugural awards in 1990, Arizona Humanities has recognized individuals and organizations that have advanced the humanities in Arizona through their scholarship, leadership, support,” according to a press release from Arizona Humanities.

Joyner was lauded for assembling a network of loyal volunteers and building a small but impactful modern museum for Florence.

“The museum has become a community gathering place that reflects the broad community it serves. Joyner is an advocate for diversity and inclusion and has implemented these core values at the museum. She has created bilingual signage to reach Spanish-speaking Florence residents, designed exhibits focused on the history of local women and pivoted to virtual programs to reach wider audiences,” according to the press release.

Joyner organizes exhibits, programs, fundraising and operations. Outside of the museum, she has consistently participated in Museum Advocacy Days to secure federal funding for rural communities.

She regularly organizes meetings for Pinal County museums, so that they can support each other. She also volunteers with the San Tan Historical Society.

Arizona Humanities is the Arizona affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and supports public programs that promote “understanding of the human experience” with cultural, educational and nonprofit organizations across the state.