YWCA names outstanding women

The 2012 YWCA Outstanding Women honorees were announced Monday and include animal-rights activist Robin Starr and health-care administrator Leslie Wyatt, among others.

In all, nine Richmond-area women are this year's award recipients, recognized for their civic and professional accomplishments.

"Like the previous classes that have been here before, this year's outstanding women never left their future to chance. The have been called trailblazers, visionaries and pioneers," said Sharon McGinty, president of the YWCA of Richmond board of directors.

The women will be honored at a luncheon May 4 at the Richmond Marriott that raises money for the YWCA's domestic violence, sexual assault and child development programs. This is the 32nd year the awards have been presented, organizers said.

"I'm just really grateful the Y has recognized women who have fought so hard for so many things," said Joan Lipstock, one of this year's honorees.

"When there's … a need, it's usually us girls that go in there and fill it. I feel really honored," Lipstock said.

Here's more on the 2012 honorees:

• Joan Lipstock, arts category. Lipstock is described as an advocate for people with disabilities whose work in the arts presents an honest picture of living with a disability, dispels myths and empowers the disabled to advocate for themselves.

She is also chair of the special-needs division of the Maccabi Games, an athletic competition for teenagers, and is founder of Dreamers Theater, an acting troupe of teenagers with disabilities.

• Sally Green, business category. Green is chief operating officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, where she oversees a team of 1,500 employees and sponsors the bank's affinity group for female employees, Generating Recognition of Women.

She is also a member of the Smart Beginnings Leadership Council and board member of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond. As head of the United Way's Women's Leadership Initiative, she helped raise $300,000 to support early-childhood development and home-visiting programs.

• Robin Starr, communications category. Starr is chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA. Starr is recognized as a visionary leader who through her advocacy "has changed the way Richmond views and treats homeless animals."

Starr transformed the facility to a no-kill operating model and instituted community and educational programs. She also helped draft Virginia's first anti-animal fighting bill.

• Carole Weinstein, education category. Weinstein is recognized for her varied career in education, which includes teaching at St. Catherine's to acting as an adjunct professor of English at the University of Richmond, to serving as a trustee of Davidson College.

Weinstein is director of Jewish Family Services and founded the Carole Weinstein International Center at the University of Richmond. The center is aimed at promoting cultural understanding and cooperation. She also established the Weinstein-Rosenthal Forum on Faith, Ethics and Global Society to promote religious and faith dialogues.

• Leslie Wyatt, health and science category. Wyatt is recognized for her 40-year nursing career and leadership in health administration. She is vice president of children's services and executive director of Children's Hospital of Richmond, which in 2010 became part of VCU Health System.

Wyatt helped establish a dually licensed medical and psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents and spearheaded the establishment of the first neonatal transport vehicle in Virginia.

• Jennifer Parham, human relations/faith in action category. Parham is women's ministry director at Needle's Eye Ministries, a nonprofit focused on ministering to the working professional.

Parham is a shepherd for the Richmond Christian Leadership Institute, which seeks to educate Christians about regional issues, and is an active member of Third Presbyterian Church and the East End Fellowship.

• Nancy Oglesby, law and government category. Oglesby is recognized as a "tireless advocate for victims of domestic violence," having prosecuted numerous cases of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual-assault cases.

Oglesby serves on the Governor's Domestic Violence Prevention and Response Advisory Board and is involved with the Department of Criminal Justice Services' Forensic Medical Workgroup.

• Karen Coltrane, nonprofit management category. Coltrane is president and chief executive officer of the Children's Museum of Richmond. During her tenure the museum increased membership by 84 percent, opened the first satellite location and expanded community partnerships.

Coltrane serves on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Central Virginia Heart Gallery, the Henrico Education Foundation and the Douglas S. Freeman High School Athletic Booster Club.

• Iris Holliday, volunteerism category. Holliday is manager of regional, state and local affairs for Dominion Virginia Power.

She serves on the boards of the Jenkins Foundation Board and the Community Foundation and is chair-elect of the Children's Museum board.

Holliday has also been involved with the William Byrd Community House, Voices for Virginia's Children, and the Friend's Association for Children. She established the Holliday Fund for scholarships to benefit graduates of Richmond Public Schools.