Six women, a high school senior and two businesses were honored Tuesday during the YWCA’s 21st annual Leadership Luncheon at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center.
“I was just stunned,” said Linda Carr, of Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450, who was selected as the winner of the direct services category. “I have had some wonderful mentors myself. I feel so fortunate.”
The luncheon recognizes area women and employers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication, commitment and excellence at work in the community. This year’s theme was “Celebrating Leadership Growing Strong Together.”
“I was very pleased with the amount of support,” said Joyce Martin, chief executive officer of the YWCA. “We had record numbers. More than 550 people attended.”
Since the luncheon began, the YWCA has recognized more than 600 women of excellence, 21 employers and 91 future high school leaders.
Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger served as the keynote speaker for the event.
Six different categories target women in a broad spectrum of work environments including: entrepreneurs and executives, management, professional, operations, direct services and special recognition.
This year’s winners were:
- Special recognition: Blenda Blankenship, Stormont-Vail Health Care.
- Direct services: Carr, USD 450, Shawnee Heights.
- Management: Margaret Moore, Girl Scouts of Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri.
- Operations: Leslie Palace, Jones Huyett Partners.
- Entrepreneurs and executives: Toni Shenk, Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair.
- Professional: Corrie Wright, city of Topeka.
- Employer of excellence: Jones Huyett Partners, Jayhawk File Express.
- 2009 Future leader: Kelly Zachariasen, Seaman High School.
