[Posted Mar. 5, 2008]

YWCA Will Award 12 With Women of Distinction Awards

  On April 9, 2008, the YWCA of South Hampton Roads Board of Directors and Honorary Chair, First Lady of Virginia Anne Holton are hosting the 20th Anniversary Women of Distinction Luncheon at 12:00pm at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. This year the committee has chosen 12 women to honor in the following categories:
ARTS: Patricia P. Rawls, Community Volunteer; BUSINESS: Angelica D. Light, President & CEO, The Norfolk Foundation; COMMUNICATIONS: Gaylene Kanoyton, Senior Sales Executive, The Virginian Pilot; EDUCATION: Kathlyn Taylor Gaubatz, Ph.D Founder & Executive Director, Virginia Social Ventures; FINANCE: Ellen Oast Keeter, Consumer Market Executive, Bank of America; GOVERNMENT: Katie Kitchin, Director Office to End Homelessness City of Norfolk; LAW: Laura Geringer Gross, of Counsel, Kaufman & Canoles; MEDICINE: The Rev. Anne C. Brower, M.D., Senior Chaplain Washington National Cathedral & Physician; MILITARY: Fredda S. Bryan, Senior Chief Petty Officer Air Traffic Controller; NON-PROFIT: Joanne E. Batson, CEO
Foodbank of Southeastern VA; SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY: Captain Joanne McCaffrey, Commanding Officer Coast Guard Facilities Design & Construction Center (Atlantic); VOLUNTEERISM: Dawna L. Ellis, Chief Financial Officer, Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate.
For the past twenty years, this preeminent event has recognized and honored over 225 outstanding women in South Hampton Roads, raising nearly a million dollars for the women, children and families served by the YWCA of South Hampton Roads.

   "Each year I worry that we are running out of women to recognize in our community, but these nominations make you realize that South Hampton Roads is teeming with fabulous women to recognize," commented Jane Short, YWCA Board member and past chair of the YWCA Women of Distinction Committee.
The 2008 YWCA Women of Distinction Luncheon marks the 20th anniversary of this event that honors 12 outstanding women each year. It is a great honor that the First Lady of Virginia, Anne Holton is going to attend this year’s luncheon to highlight the achievement of the honorees, but to also shed light on the YWCA mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
"The selection was a difficult process because we received some outstanding nominations," said Blythe Ann Scott, YWCA Board Member and Co-chair of this year’s event. "This is a wonderful list of honorees and they truly represent a diverse cross-section of our community," added Beth V. McMahon, also a YWCA Board Member and Co-Chair of the 2008 event.
According to Devra Culver, Development Director for the YWCA, all money raised from this event goes to fund important programs that benefit women and children in this community. Sponsorships and ticket sales help the YWCA continue providing counseling and support services for sexual assault victims and providing shelter for women and children who have been violently abused in their own homes. The YWCA is also able to continue racial justice initiatives and advocacy in a world where racism continues to oppress women and the community at large.
"We hope individuals and companies will buy their tickets early," encourages Scott. "This is an awesome event that supports an important cause and honors incredible women. We hope to make this a sell-out event!"
The April 9 event will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. Sponsorship and ticket information for the luncheon is currently available on the YWCA’s website at www.ywca-shr.org, or by calling (757)625-4248.

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