With about 50 well-wishers and a handful of children in attendance, this year's recipients of the YWCA Outstanding Women Awards were announced yesterday in the gymnasium of the organization's downtown office.
The 10 winners -- covering categories such as arts, health and religion -- were selected from more than 80 nominees.
Criteria included impact on the community, leadership skills, personal and professional achievement, and commitment to the YWCA's mission to eliminate racism, empower women and elevate children.
"These women have never left their vision to chance," said Laura Lee Chandler, board president of the YWCA. "They're visionaries and pioneers . . . and inspire others to act."
Before announcing the recipients, some of the children from the center, sitting in tiny chairs at the front of the room, presented each honoree with a handmade Valentine's Day card to show, Chandler said, "the big heart of what you've done."
The honorees for the 30th annual selection are:
Arts: True Farr Luck, who serves on the board of directors for the Visual Arts Center, which, under her leadership, raised more than $6 million in its first Capital Campaign.
Business: Margaret E. "Lyn" McDermid, senior vice president and chief information officer for Dominion Resources, as well as co-founder of the Women in Technology Management Forum and one of two women on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank.
Communications: Susan J. Winiecki, editor in chief and associate publisher of Richmond Magazine, who helped develop Richmond Bride, RHome and Welcome Inc. Winiecki is also a founding member and finance committee member of the Podium Foundation.
Education: Sue Forbes Watson, the longest-serving school board member in the state (since 1976) and the first woman appointed to the Hanover County School Board, serving eight terms as chairwoman and nine terms as vice chairwoman. Watson has helped lead the Ashland Musical Variety show since 1982.
Government/Politics: Susan Forbes Dewey, executive director of the Virginia Housing Development Authority and president of the National Council of State Housing Agencies. Dewey also is a member of the executive committee of the Virginia Council on Economic Education.
Health/Science: Dr. Patricia Reams, director of Access Now and medical director of the Fan Free Clinic, as well as a pediatrician for the Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents.
Human Relations: Karen J. Stanley, executive director of CARITAS and The Healing Place. Stanley served as the first domestic-violence coordinator for the Chesterfield County Police Department.
Law: Catherine "Kate" M. Marriott, honored as a Best Lawyer in America and Virginia Super Lawyer by Virginia Magazine's Legal Elite. Marriott also serves as chairwoman of Williams Mullen's pro bono committee and is a member of the firm's diversity committee.
Religion: Diane H. Ager, an active volunteer with Crossover Ministry, Richmond City Jail and Pregnancy Resource Center of Metro Richmond, among other places. Ager has served about 15,000 patients with volunteer service.
Volunteerism: Dr. Pamela J. Royal, founder of Royal Dermatology and Aesthetic Skin Care Inc. and winner of the 2008 Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence in Initiative Local Hero Award. Royal is involved in many civic organizations, including the United Way of Greater Richmond and the Orchard House.
The women will be honored at a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. April 23 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Tickets are $50. Sales will begin next month.
Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or mruggieri@timesdispatch.com.
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