Women of Distinction
Celebrating Women of Commitment & Determination
Women of Distinction Gala & Silent Auction
Hosted Annually!
Celebrate women of distinction in our community;
Recognize women whose work (paid and/or volunteer) has benefited the lives of women and children in Juneau;
Honor unsung heroes of the community, as well as those with publicly recognized achievements;
Support and encourage community members and groups to recognize women of distinction within their organizations; and
Raise funds to support AWARE’s work with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
For additional information regarding Women of Distinction, contact Mandi Canady by email at wod@awareak.org or by phone call at 907-586-6623, ext. 227.
Criteria For Women of Distinction Honorees
Nominated by the Community
The criteria we use to select the Women on Distinction honorees from those nominated by the community are:
Demonstrated Commitment: Candidate has demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of life for women and children in Juneau.
Integrity, Dedication, & Motivation: Candidate has demonstrated qualities of integrity, dedication, motivation, and leadership in the community.
Willingness to Share Skills & Knowledge: Candidate has demonstrated the willingness to share her skills and knowledge.
Role Model: Candidate has demonstrated the qualities of a role model.
Supports Diversity: Candidate’s work has represented and/or supported diverse groups within our community.
Congratulations to our 2025 Women of Distinction Honorees!
We celebrated and honored these SHEroes at Centennial Hall on March 8, 2025.
AWARE’s Women of Distinction gala honorees, from left, Brenda Taylor; Sofia “Sammi” Lindoff and Kamal Lindoff, accepting the posthumous Lifetime Achievement Honor for Leona Santiago; Becky Bohrer; Sherry Patterson; and Valorie Ringle. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
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To see a recording of the 2025 Gala, thanks to Gabe at G-Force Productions, click HERE!
To see the amazing list of our 2025 sponsors, auction donors, & volunteers, click HERE!
To read an article by Klas Stolpe summing of the evening, click HERE!
Archives
See all of AWARE’s past Honorees from Women of Distinction!
2024: Lisa Daugherty, Debbie Fagnant, Lori Grassgreen, and Nikki Love
2023: Susan Bell, Jennifer Brown, LaRae Jones, and Kate Wolfe
2022: Nancy Douglas & Kitty Eddy (sisters!), Mariya Lovishchuk, Bunti Reed, and Dr. Bridget Weiss
2021: No event due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020: Donnie Gott, Lily Hope, Hazel LeCount, and Tari Stage-Harvey
2019: Francine Eddy Jones, Susan Macaulay, Jorden Nigro, and Janine Reep
2018: June Degnan, Kolene Jame, DaKilatch, Kueni Ma’ake, and Lauree Morton
2017: Andrea Cesar, Sioux Douglas, Kris Sell, and Rena Sims
2016: Marie Darlin, Justine Muench, Missouri Smyth, and Kristi West
2015: Laraine Derr, Ernestine Hayes, Betty Kaplor, and Shari Paul
2014: Carol Pitts, Elaine Schroeder, Norene Otnes, and Patty Owen
2013: Mary Ellen Arvold, Jackie Martin, Colleen McKenzie & Kathy Kolkhorst Ruddy
2012: Amy Dressel, Sharron Lobaugh, Joan O’Keefe and Megan Gregory
2011: Debi Ballam, Susan Cox, Selina Everson and Diana Stevens
2010: Chris Ashenbrenner, Carolyn Brown, Bev Ingram and Helen Sarabia
2009: Marla Berg, Ann Boochever, Marsha Buck and Angie Lunda
2008: Helen Abbott-Watkins, Alberta Aspen, Susan Baxter and Betsy Brenneman
2007: Joyanne Bloom, Doloresa Cadiente, Ann Lockhart and Connie Munro
2006: Nora Marks Dauenhauer, Lynnette Dihle, Sally Rue and Tamara Simone Collins
2005: Joy Lyon, Kimberly L. Metcalfe, Jeri Museth and Laura Stats
2004: Beth Belflower, Mildred Boesser, Laury Scandling, Vicki Soboleff
2003: Merry Ellefson, Ethel Lund, Margaret Pugh, Tish Griffin Satre
2002: Robin Gilcrist, Tony Mallot, Fran Ulmer
2001: Glenda Carino, Mo Longworth, Stella Martin, Diane Sly
2000: Diane Lindback, Marie Olsen, Nancy Seamount, Constance Trollan
1999: Linda O. Augustine, Sara Boesser, Kay Greenough, Carla Timpone, Kelly Mangano
1998: Shirley Dean, Kaye Kanne, Myra Munson, Dorothy Thornton
1997: Justine Emerson, Caren Robinson, Linda Torgerson, Freda Westman