YWCA names 10 outstanding women

Ten recipients of the YWCA's 2009 Outstanding Women Awards were announced today.

They will be honored at the 29th annual awards luncheon on April 24 at 11:30 a.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Since 1980, the YWCA has honored nearly 300 women.

This year's recipients:

Art: Catherine R. "Kitty" Claiborne, a longtime trustee, leader, advocate and fundraiser for the Richmond Ballet and Virginia Opera. Claiborne also has significant involvement with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond Symphony and Theatre IV.

Business: Jane G. Watkins, president and chief executive officer, Virginia Credit Union. Since she was named president, assets at the credit union have grown 167 percent.

Communications: Kimberlie J. (Kim) Farlow, director of digital and internal communications for Altria Client Services Inc. Through her work on the board of directors of the Central Virginia Foodbank, she helped to expand the Kid's Café program, which provides meals to thousands of children annually.

Education: Adrienne E. Volenik, director of the Disability Law Clinic and professor at the University of Richmond Law School. Volenik teaches and supervises law students to represent children and parents' rights to free and appropriate special education.

Government/Politics: Manju S. Ganeriwala, state treasurer of Virginia, has served nearly 25 years in finance in the public and private sectors. She also volunteers with community organizations including the Tuckahoe Junior Woman's Club and the Indian Association of Virginia.

Health/Science: Dr. Robin L. Foster, director of Pediatric Emergency Services and director of Pediatric Critical Care Transport for VCU Medical Center. Foster also serves as president of the Richmond Midnight Basketball League.

Human Relations: Fay G. Lohr, chief executive officer of FeedMore Inc., the umbrella organization for the Central Virginia Foodbank and Meals on Wheels of Central Virginia. Lohr has networked with more than 500 agencies to prevent hunger in central Virginia.

Law: Frances Fischbein Goldman, co-founder and co-owner of the Tax Complex, LC., a company offering tax compliance and planning services that also contributes a minimum of 100 pro bono hours of services to lower income individuals and families.

Religion: Lula M. Brown White, a member of Providence Park Baptist Church for more than 50 years, where she has served as a Sunday School teacher, among other duties. White is a mentor for the Virginia Heroes program, volunteering at Chandler Middle School.

Volunteerism: Connie M. Moslow, founder and director of the first Powhatan Free Clinic, which provides free access to health care services to low-income, uninsured citizens. She also founded the Powhatan Free Dental Clinic and has helped to raise funds for programs to help HIV-positive women at the Fluvanna Women's Correctional Center.

Selected from more than 80 nominees, this year's recipients were chosen based on their community contributions, leadership, a high level of personal and professional achievement, and commitment to the YWCA of Richmond's mission to equality and empowerment of women and children.

Tickets to the awards luncheon are $50 and must be purchased in advance. Contact Sam Kohli at (804) 643-6761, extension 103 or .

Event proceeds will benefit YWCA programs, including the Child Development Center, 24-hour crisis hot line and domestic and sexual violence programs.