In July of 2002, members of the WHWTCGA traveled to Aiken, SC for a dedication of a beautiful bronze marker on the gravesite of Claudia Lea Phelps (1894-1984). Phelps was an important figure in both the breeding of the West Highland White Terrier and in the early years of the West Highland White Terrier Club of America. She is recognized as the American Sponsor of the West Highland White Terrier.

As part of the dedication ceremony, Nancy Wilds, niece of Claudia Phelps, was presented a china plate, hand painted by Gilda Mallik. The plate's painting was replica of the cover of the biography, "Claudia Lea Phelps, American Sponsor of the West Highland White Terrier" by Gilda Mallik (2001). For those interested, the book is available from the Westie Foundation of America.