Women of Achievement’s 2014 Awards Luncheon

As the lights dimmed and the spotlights shined, mistress of ceremonies Carol Daniels, KMOX Radio, asked the audience of more than 750 friends, family and colleagues to to join her in welcoming the 2014 Women of Achievement. The annual awards lunchoen, held at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, Thursday, May 15, 2014, recognized this year’s honorees for their unselfish, impressive volunteer efforts, which have influenced so positively the wellbeing and welfare of the St. Louis region and those who live here.

This 2014 Class of Honorees included these 10 extraordinary volunteers from the St. Louis metropolitan region: M. Virginia Braxs – Cultural Enrichment, Ida H. Early – Volunteer Leadership, Eva Frazer, M.D. – Community Health, Teri Griege – Health Awareness, Phyllis Z. Langsdorf – Creative Philanthropy, Diane Gershman Levine – Health and Education, DiAnne L. Mueller – Family Enrichment, JoAnn M. Shaw – Health Advocacy, Linda Weitzer Sher – Child Welfare, Pat Whitaker – Civic Responsibility.

“We really looked forward to this year’s luncheon, where we celebrated and shared the stories of these outstanding volunteers”, declared Judy Harris, chair of the 2014 Luncheon. “We received many strong applications from across the St. Louis region, and our committees worked hard to make the final selection. The luncheon should have proven unforgettable for our honorees.”

“Volunteering remains the foundation of our community. It’s crucial to take time to honor those who have given an incredible amount of their time, energy and leadership to do something selflessly to help others,” observed Women of Achievement President Nanci A. Bobrow, Ph.D. “For the past 59 years, Women of
Achievement has recognized the significant contributions of volunteers, but each year, each class and each woman is unique in the vital role she plays in our community.”

For 59 years, Women of Achievement honorees are selected from nominations that emanate from the St. Louis metropolitan area and Metro East Illinois, who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the betterment of the St. Louis region through voluntary contributions and volunteer leadership. Women of Achievement
considers women with significant volunteer impact in areas such as, but not limited to, education, arts, health and human services, youth and family, philanthropy, social justice and advocacy.

In 1955, the St. Louis-Globe Democrat newspaper created an awards program, that became known as the Women of Achievement Award, to recognize and honor the achievements of women who, through their volunteer efforts, have demonstrated their dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life in the St. Louis community. The St. Louis Women of Achievement organization, a 501c3, not-for-profit organization, was established in 1993 by former Women of Achievement who wanted to ensure the longevity of the award for future generations of St. Louis area women. The organization’s Board of Directors, comprised of past recipients of the award, continue to plan and implement the nomination, selection, and presentation process. They intend to guarantee that this award will perpetuate and honor the women volunteers in the St. Louis metropolitan region, who positively impact the community for many years to come.