We are honored to celebrate and support this dynamic and inspirational group of women and young leaders.
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Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
2021: Sheila E. Boles
2019: Louise Coggins
2018: Robin Wicks Robinson
2012: Sandra Spaulding Hughes
2011: Wilma Daniels
2009: Lois Cook Steele
2008: Adrienne Jackson
2003: Betty T. Tinsley
2002: Bessie Fay Hunt
2001: Caronell Chestnut
2000: Pickett Henderson Taylor
1999: Bertha Boykin Todd and the 1898 Foundation
1998: Bobbie Jo Lineberger
1997: Bessie W. Funderburg
1994: Betty H. Cameron
2022
Advocacy & Social Justice: Shirley Freeman
Arts & Culture: Heather Wilson
Business: Isabela Lujan
Education: Michaela Howells
Health & Wellness: Mireya Lupercio
Public Service: JC Lyle
Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero: Cathy Wright
Trailblazer: Jordan Willetts
Young Leader Scholarship: Diana Gomez, Emily Lain
2021
Advocacy & Social Justice: Caroline Morin-Gage
Arts & Culture: Victoria Velazco
Business: Rachel Lewis Hilburn
Education: Onya Gardner
Health & Wellness: Mebane Boyd
Public Service: Quanesha Mullins
Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero: Crystal Pellom
Trailblazer: Peyton Thomas
Young Leader Scholarship: Zena Bills, Noelia Lopez Alvarado
2019
Advocacy & Social Justice: Katrina Knight
Arts & Culture: Jacqueline Olive
Business: Christi Ferretti
Education: Sheri Shaw
Health & Wellness: Christy Spivey
Public Service: Cori Dixon
Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero: Sabra Wright
Student Impact Grant: Jessica Aguilar
Trailblazer: Marissa Bryant
Young Leader Scholarship: Sophie Farriss, Janae Young
2018
Arts: Jennifer Kraner
Business: Kimberly Bankston
Education: Julie-Ann Scott-Pollock
Environmental: Bonnie Monteleone
Health & Wellness: Heather Davis
Public Service: Sonali Batish
Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero: Ashanti Gibbs
Social Justice & Community Engagement: Rhonda Bullard-Dutton
Trailblazer: Lauren Henderson
Volunteer: Rebecca Clark
Young Leader Scholarship: Brianna Cunliffe, Mary Grayson Koonce, Wallace Robinson
In Memoriam: Kelly Marquis Merritt
2017
Arts: Janna Siegel Robertson
Business: Amy Wright
Education: Velva Jenkins
Environmental: Dru Harrison
Health & Wellness: Charmaine Lewis
Public Service: Linda Rawley Thompson
Volunteer: Charlotte Kelly
Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero: Paula Kohut
Social Justice: Celine Adair
Young Leader Scholarship: Megan Haase, Autumn James, Mina Yakubu
2016
Arts: Ashley Barnes
Business: Lori Feezor
Communications: Holly Shaw
Education: Ann Whitehurt Jenkins
Environmental: Elissa Riley
Health & Wellness: Deidra Blanks
Public Service: Erika Jones
Volunteer: Libby Covil
Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero: Heather Thornton
Social Justice: Katherine Lewis Parker
Young Leader: Logan Elkins, Julia Koff, Jasmine Young
2015
Arts: Charlon Turner
Business: LeeAnne Quattrucci
Communications: Kimberly Paul
Education: Kathleen Berkeley
Environmental: Kay Lynn Plummer-
Hernandez
Health & Wellness: Colleen Mistovich
Public Service: Deborah Dicks Maxwell
Rachel FreemanUnsung Hero: Jerri Holiday
Volunteer: Ann David
Young Leader: Mikayla Fowler, Caroline Hurt, Mariah Grace Sutton
2014
Arts: Dorothy Nesbitt
Business: Kathleen Shannon
Glancy
Centennial Communications Legacy: Frances Weller
Education: Maryann Nunnally
Human Services: Mary Ann Lama
Professions: Wanda Copley
Public Service: Margaret
Weller-Stargell
Volunteer: Sheila Evans
Young Leader: Valerie B. Jackson
2013
Arts: Tracey Varga
Business: Kristin Cooper
Communications: Amanda Greene
Education: Nora Noel
Environmental: Cheryl Moody
Health & Wellness: Connie Hill
Public Service: Donna Bost
Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero: Edelmira Segovia
Volunteer: Beth Quinn
Young Leader: Anna Brodemerkel, Sophie Kot, Alexandria Natoli
2012
Arts: Gwenyfar Rohler
Business: Jenny Barnhill
Communications: Shea Carver
Education: Margaret Robison
Environmental: Elise Rocks
Health & Wellness: Laurie Bystrom
Public Service: Elizabeth Redenbaugh
Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero: Katherine Weller
Volunteer: Ashley Hearne Miller
Young Leader: Taylor Benson, Arianna Nasser, Jaclyn Ray
2011
Arts: Emily Smith
Business: Christina Maroulis
Communications: Teresa Mebane
Education: Rosemary DePaolo
Environmental: Margaret Shelton
Health & Wellness: Elena Pezzuto
Public Service: Amy Feath
Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero: Islah Speller
Volunteer: Shelby Chadwick
Young Leader: Sarah Clark, Tori Colvin, Karina Villalobos
2010
Arts: Dixon Stetler
Business: Adeline Robertson
Communications: Valita Quattlebaum
Education: Emma Jackson
Environmental: Valerie Robertson
Health & Wellness: Kelly Laham
Public Service: Kay Zwan
Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero: Margaret Rogers
Volunteer: Annie Anthony
Teen Leader: Stephanie Carlton, Lauren Hamilton, Lindsay Wright
2009
Arts: Amy Helene Kirschke
Business & Enterprise: Lori Daley and
Pam Palanza
Communications: Judy Budd
Education Richelle Dombroski
Environmental: Rebecca Westbrooks
Health & Wellness: Marlene Sigler
Public Service: Roselle Margolis
Volunteer: JoAnn McCachern Swart
Teen Leader: Monet Hardison, Amanda Holland, Jaimie McGirt
2008
Arts: Sarah Levin
Business & Enterprise: Devoria M. Berry
Communications: Joy Allen
Education: Pansy R. Rumley
Environmental: Marilyn Meares
Health & Wellness: Mary Beth Koehler
Public Service: Julia Boseman
Volunteer: Judith A. Ruffin
Teen Leader: Saphyr Amrol-Davis, Danielle Black, Dori Lane Faulk , Kayla McMillan
2007
Arts: Rhonda Bellamy
Business & Enterprise: Ginger Gore
Education: Nadine Marie Antonelli
Health & Wellness: Mary Ellen Bonczek
Public Service: Reta Shiver
Volunteer: Kathy Gresham
Teen Leader: Destiny Fullwood, Tiffany Mullin, Gina Simmons, Kristen Stefureac
2006
Arts: Georgeann Haas
Business& Entreprise: Patricia Kusek
Education: Edna Neal Collins
Health & Wellness: Sue Ballato
Public Service: Karen Chapple
Volunteer: Arlene Lawson
Teen Leader: Janeen Freeman, Jacqueline Jackson, LeAnne Millis, Monica Robbins
2005
Arts: Virginia Wright-Frierson
Business & Enterprise: Judy Gore
Education: Johnnie Simpson
Health & Wellness: Tracey M. Glendenning
Public Service: Janet R. Coleman
Volunteer: Inez Bradt, Eloise Brown
Teen Leader: Mallory Mitchell, Maya Salwen, Elizabeth A. Whalen, Harriet C. Worley
2004
Arts: Gayle Tustin
Business & Enterprise: Kathleen Shannon
Glancy
Education: Jo Ann Seiple
Group: Founding Mothers of Domestic Violence Shelter & Services
Health & Wellness: Iris Baker
Public Service: Mary Sidberry Mosley
Volunteer: Sheila Evans
Teen Leader: Sarah Brumbaugh, Allyson Gaiser, Kelly Kronenwetter, Brittney Rae Smith
2003
Arts: Stuart Callari
Business & Enterprise: Kathryn Johnston
Education: Tannis Nelson
Group: Founders of the Carousel Center, Inc.
Health & Wellness: Johnsie Davis
Public Service: Kathy Kittleson, Margaret
Weller-Stargell
Volunteer: Sandra Harris
Teen Leader: Katie Almiral, Meredith Gaiser
Sandy Pham, Erin Steinberg
2002
Arts: Tracy Wilkes
Business & Enterprise.: Heather Till
Education: Hathia Hayes
Group: Wilmington Chamber Music Society
Health & Wellness: Adrienne Jackson
Public Service: Maria Collins Warren
Volunteer: Lucy Vasquez
Teen Leader: Esther Houseman, Jada Keith
Jean Koff, Kristen Ward
2001
Arts: Francine DeCoursey
Business & Industry: Jennifer Casey
Community Service: Alyson Barnard
Education: Beverlee Nance
Entrepreneur: Crista Toler
Health & Wellnes:s Lisa Griffin
Human Services: Amy Hamme Sanders
Professions: Jugta Kahai
Public Service: Louise McColl
Teen Leader: Amanda Andrews, Nephitearya Bailey, Maribel Gomez Cruz, Angela Hewett
2000
Arts: Lorraine Perry
Business & Industry: Michelle Howard-Vital
Community Service: Velma Williams
Education: Melba Johnson
Entrepreneur: Christine Moughamian
Health & Wellness: Beth Matthews
Human Services: Billie Granger
Professions: Shelly Holt
Public Service: Eileen McConville
Teen Leader: Ashley Jones, Paige Strickland
Meredith Swain, Cammie Thompson
1999
Arts: Anne Brennan
Business & Industry: Susan Rogers Vann
Community Service: Jacqueline B. Smith
Education: Mary D. McDuffie
Entrepreneur: Cynthia D. Burnett
Health & Wellness: Yvonne Pagan
Human Services: Diane Moody-Sibley
Professions: Bernadette B. Allen
Public Service: Natalie Hughes
Teen Leader: Christina Bibby, Sarah Seehorn, Elizabeth Titrington, LaToya White
1998
Arts: Sarah Jones
Business & Industry: Connie Majure
Community Service: Dolores M. Williams
Education: Hildalissa Hernandez
Entrepreneur: Lisa Payne
Health & Wellness: Trish Snyder
Human Services: Mary Ann Lama
Professions: Catherine Peterman
Public Service: Judith F. O’Neal
Teen Leader: Nina Brown, Amanda R. Davis, Leigh E. Milligan, Allison J. Rivenbark
1997
Arts: Susan King
Business & Industry: Nyla Dookeran
Community Service: Kim Cavender
Education: Julia H. Davis
Entrepreneur: Hannah D. Gage
Health & Wellness: Michele Moran Clancy
Human Services: Barbara Bisset, Lynn Smithdeal
Professions: Wanda M. Copley
Public Service: Cordelia L. Johnson
Teen Leader: Leslie A. Collins, Jennifer Formyduval, Jessica L. Triche
1996
Arts: Mary Beth Henderson
Business & Industry: Sadie Ann Hood
Community Service: Lois Hart
Education: Gloria Faye Lloyd
Entrepreneur: Ida S. Newton
Health & Wellness: Margit Royal
Human Service: Anita B. White
Professions: Karen Paden Boyle
Public Service: Nancy Pritchett
Teen Leader: Jennifer Anne Holston, Julie Rose Simmons
1995
Arts: Fredrica W. Turner
Business & Industry: Donna Daly
Community Service: Mimi Cunningham
Education: Janice Simms
Entrepreneur: Elma B. Daniel
Government: Jacqueline Roseboro
Health & Wellness: Constance N. Parker
Human Services: Carolyn R. Lyle
Professions: Elizabeth P. Summey
Teen Leader: Abigail Nicholson
1994
Arts: Dorothy B. Nesbitt
Community Service: Carolyn H. Justice
Education: Dianne S. Avery
Entrepreneur: Magnolia H. McLean
Government: Janet K. Seapker
Human Services: Eloise Thomas
Professions: Pamela S. Morine
Sports & Recreation: Maggie St. Ledger
Teen Leader: Alison Batley
1993
Arts: Nancy J. Aycock
Business: Diane A. Atkinson
Community Service: Helen M. Willetts
Education: Grace M. Burton, Helen Hilton
Entrepreneur: Tracy P. Conlon
Government: Ann King
Human Services: Cindy G. Stallings
Industry: Jean C. Greer
Professions: Doretha M. Stone
Teen Leader: Maria Gonzalez, Kate E. Temoney
1992
Arts: Bonnie Pierce
Business: Carrie M. Davis
Community Service: Allene Drain
Education: Maryann Nunnally
Entrepreneur: Elizabeth Pancoe
Government: Joyce M. Swicegood
Human Services: Pierce M. Overman
Industry: B. Lee Kindberg
Professions: Virginia D. Jones
Sports & Recreation: Annette Crumpton
Teen Leader: Melanie D. Alston
1991
Arts: Barbara F. Bowman
Business: Deborah E. Bowen
Community Service: Cheryl Lofgren, Mercedes Newsome
Education: Elizabeth Greenwood
Entrepreneur: Fran C. Young
Government: Melissa J. Woods
Human Services: Lois C. Steele
Industry: Judith E. Culbreth
Professions: Patricia A. Melvin
Sports & Recreation: Sue Combs
Teen Leader: Carla A. Gonzalez
1990
Arts: Catherine B. Lea
Business: Susan W. Adams
Community Service: Kathryn V. Sebian
Education: Sherry P. Broome
Entrepreneur: Rebecca H. Yates
Government: Margie R. Parker
Human Services: Johnnie M. Fields
Industry: Donna C. Howard
Professions: Siew-Jyu Wong
Teen Leader: C. Erin Chervenak
1989
Arts: Wendy Block
Business: Melanie Gail Creech
Community Service: Carla Roberts, Roberta Miller
Education: Peggy B. Higgins
Entrepreneur: Ann E. Robinson
Government: Julia Waters
Human Services: Linda Pearce
Industry: Connie B. Tyndall
Professions: Eleanor W. Day
Sports & Recreation: Sheila Boles
Teen Leader: Valerie Bauerlein
1988
Arts: Rhesa R. Stone
Business & Industry: Karen Fox
Community Service: Bessie Fay Hunt
Education: Dorothy S. DeShields
Entrepreneur: LouElla Williams
Government: Frances L. Russ
Human Services: Brenda B. Potter
Professions: Marlene Rosenkoetter
Recreation: Susan Justice
Teen Leader: Pamela L. Pyler
1987
Arts: Beverly M. Cobb
Community Service: Jean Credle
Education: Barbara E. Downing
Entrepreneur: Elizabeth W. Bland
Government: Mae Rachel Freeman
Human Services: Flo Stein
Industry: Gayle Van Velsor
Professions: Jacqueline Morris-Goodson
1986
Arts: Marjorie Megivern
Business: Dorothy C. Noe
Community Service: Alice M. Sisson
Education: Bertha B. Todd
Government: Karen E. Gottovi
Human Services: Susan M. O’Brien
Industry: Kerri Landin
Professions: Frances Weller
1985
Arts: Joyce T. Grear
Business: Katherine B. Moore
Community Service: Estell C. Lee
Education: Sylvia M. Hall
Government: Marian B. Duggins
Human Service:s Deborah Flora
Professions: Barbara C. Bloomfield