YWCA Outstanding Women talk about what inspired them

Ten area women received 2009 YWCA Outstanding Women Awards yesterday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit YWCA programs, including the Child Development Center, 24-hour crisis hot line and domestic and sexual violence programs.

Each of the honorees spoke about something that has inspired them:

. . .

Catherine R. "Kitty" Claiborne, longtime trustee, leader, advocate and fundraiser for the Richmond Ballet. (Arts)

"When I was a little girl, I had a wonderful desire to be either a jockey or a ballerina. . . . My passion has always been the Richmond Ballet. They are dedicated. They are imaginative, They're creative. They're caring. They teach. . . . It has given me an immense amount of pleasure to work with them throughout the years. I guess it's been like one challenging, long horse race, and I was a mini jockey. The horse did not win the race. Richmond Ballet won the race."

. . .

Jane G. Watkins, president & CEO of Virginia Credit Union (Business)

"When a spouse dies or a relationship ends, there's always a financial side to the story. Without [financial] knowledge, without tools, people . . . are vulnerable. With understanding, people are empowered. They find that they can participate fully in the economic system."

. . .

Kimberlie J. Farlow, director of digital and internal communications for Altria Client Services (Communications)

"Think about someone who has been a teacher to you. Picture his or her face -- a special person who had the nerve to tell you the unvarnished truth, whose example made you more capable, whose wisdom inspired you. . . . Now picture the face of just one person whom you know could benefit from your kind attention. . . . What an incredible, extraordinary thing it would be if . . . each of us is more willing to learn and to teach."

. . .

Adrienne E. Volenik, director of the Mental Disability Law Clinic and acting director of the National Center for Family Law at the University of Richmond (Education)

"My first [client] left an indelible impression. He stood up and [told the judge], 'I didn't understand any of the big words.' I marveled at his honesty and, even more than that, I marvel at a system that can commit children to incarceration when they don't have a clear understanding of what's going on and what the systems are doing to them."

. . .

Manju S. Ganeriwala, state treasurer of Virginia (Government)

"Being the oldest of six children [in India], four of whom were daughters, the elders of my extended family were eager to get me married off rather than let me finish college. If it wasn't for my mother standing up to those family pressures, I wouldn't be here today. . . . Her willingness to stand up for her daughter left me with such a profound sense of empowerment. . . . From that point on I felt I can really make decisions for myself and pursue what I want to do rather than let others make decisions for me."

. . .

Dr. Robin L. Foster, associate professor of emergency medicine and director of pediatric emergency services at VCU Medical Center (Health & Science)

"When serving others, the most important thing that you can share is your time. It is not necessary to have significant fiscal resources to make a difference."

. . .

Fay G. Lohr, chief executive officer of FeedMore Inc., the umbrella organization for the Central Virginia Foodbank and Meals on Wheels (Human Relations)

"What really inspires me are the unsung heroes who stand together to fight hunger in our community. If you've ever talked to anyone who's been really hungry . . . you never forget that pain and agony when you go to bed at night. It never, ever leaves you."

. . .

Frances Fischbein Goldman, co-founder of the Tax Complex and president of the Community Tax Law Project (Law)

"Do you know that more than half of all notices sent by the IRS are sent to taxpayers who are no more than 2½ times poverty [-level income]? What an underprivileged crowd to pick on! . . . [Community Tax Law Project] allows me to combine two of my passions: tax law and volunteerism. . . . Working together toward the greater good is the only way we as humans can thrive and grow for generations to come."

. . .

Lula M. Brown White, a member of Providence Park Baptist Church for more than 50 years (Religion)

"I envision a community in which young people can go to school to learn, as well as to live, to work and play in caring communities that understand the value of children and the importance of preparing young people to demonstrate ethical leadership in a global society."

. . .

Connie M. Moslow, founder and director of the first Powhatan Free Clinic (Volunteerism)

"Inspiring is only one word. It takes sight to see their wound. It takes your ears to hear their cry. It takes your heart to heal their pain."

Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or .