SAN ANTONIO, TX, January 20, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Donalda L. Smith with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Ms. Smith celebrates many years' experience in her professional network and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Smith's professional journey reflects a steadfast commitment to service, leadership and community engagement. Since 2007, she has been a training coordinator at the Defense Medical Readiness Training Institute. In this role, she coordinates educational programs for medical professionals preparing for deployment, focusing on trauma care and emergency war surgery. Her work ensures that doctors are equipped to handle severe injuries common in conflict zones, such as traumatic facial injuries and limb loss from improvised explosive devices. This position builds upon Ms. Smith's extensive background in behavioral science and military training.

Since 2023, Ms. Smith has also served as the program manager for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., where she oversees a range of impactful initiatives. Her responsibilities encompass managing monthly community service programs that include feeding people experiencing homelessness, supporting veterans, donating to nursing homes and organizing health and wellness workshops. Ms. Smith's leadership was instrumental in chartering the Epsilon Alpha Eta Zeta chapter in San Antonio, expanding the sorority's presence in the region. She is also the second vice president of the organization, furthering its mission through scholarship programs and outreach.

Ms. Smith's distinguished military career began in 1981 when she joined the U.S. Army as a behavioral science specialist. Over more than two decades of service until her retirement in 2005, she held multiple roles, including drill sergeant, instructor and operations officer. Ms. Smith's responsibilities encompassed counseling in areas such as substance abuse, marriage and family support, and leading spouse abuse support groups. As a drill sergeant and educator, she influenced thousands of students over five years of teaching, shaping future leaders and making a lasting difference in their lives. Ms. Smith's dedication to training was a hallmark throughout her military tenure.

Before her military service, Ms. Smith worked as an assessment worker at Brightmore Home Support from 1980 to 1981, providing essential support services to clients in need.

Ms. Smith's academic achievements have been foundational to her success. She earned a Bachelor of Science in social work from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1978 and a master's degree in public administration at Webster University in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1998.

Beyond her education, Ms. Smith is an active member of several professional and civic organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Conservation Society and Fiesta Commission. She is also a founding member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce in San Antonio and served on its advisory board. Among other involvements, Ms. Smith serves as the secretary of both the San Antonio Pickleball Association and the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association. Her efforts have included initiating a three-on-three basketball tournament to foster community involvement across generations and launching "Dig That Jazz on the Hill," an annual event honoring veterans and active-duty military personnel that ran from 2016 until transitioning to a virtual format during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Smith's commitment extends to other organizations such as Communities Under the Bridge, SAMMinistries, the Community Leadership Council and the African American Leadership Institute. Ms. Smith served as Secretary of the San Antonio Pickleball Association and is the current President. This organization presented 31 students with Scholarships in 2025, a total of $31,000 to high school students in San Antonio area.

Ms. Smith's exemplary service has been recognized with numerous awards, including three Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards, Meritorious Service recognition from the U.S. Department of Defense, three Meritorious Service Medals from the Department of the Army, the Expert Field Medical Badge and several Good Conduct Medals. She is also a recipient of the Order of Military Medical Merit for excellence and received the Zeta Zeal Award from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

The values of responsibility and perseverance instilled by her mother, along with her military experience, have shaped Ms. Smith's approach to leadership and service. She encourages others seeking similar paths to pursue their goals with determination and resilience, emphasizing practice as key to improvement, and advocates for leveraging educational opportunities through service-oriented careers.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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