Captured Event

March, 02 2005 - YWCA of Maricopa County Honors Community Women of Distinction

What: Tribute to Women 2005

Where: Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa

When: March 2, 2005

Time: 12 noon

Ticket Prices: $80

Beneficiary: YWCA of Maricopa County

Mistress of Ceremonies: Tram Mai, 12 News Today Anchor

Honoree(s): Deborah G. Carstens (Business Leader); Karlene Keogh (Civic Leader); Dr. Carolyn Warner (Communicator); Susan L. Paull (Creative Artist); Dr. Karen L. Hardin (Educator); Karie Montague (Entrepreneur); Dr. Armaity Vaghaiwalla Austin (Healer/Caregiver); JoAnn Garcia (Public Sector Leader); Linda Wells (Sports Leader); Dr. Leslie Baxter (Scientist/Researcher); Georgia McGraw, CPA (Dorothy Willey Award)

Gala Chairperson(s): Regina Edwards & Karen Fletcher (event co-chairs)

Honorary Chairperson(s): Tammy Linn

Committee Members: Tiffany Anderson, Frances Anguis-Vierkoetter, Carolyn Bristo, Soledad Brozek, Virginia Foltz, Cassandra Groh, Christy Harlin, Karen Langenhuizen, Anne Lin, Norma Ory, Heidi Ream, Cecilia Riviere, Connie Robinson, Kathy Ryan

President(s): Connie Robinson

Invocation: Rabbi Robert Kravitz, Executive Director, American Jewish Committee

Of note: JUDGES: Paige Garrett, Elyse Johnston, Faye Myles, Terri O'Halloran, Ruth Osuna

Sponsors: EVENT SPONSOR: SRP; PRESENTING SPONSORS: Arizona Republic, Channel 12 News; CORPORATE SPONSOR: St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center; CHW; GOLD SPONSOR: Westcor

Board of Directors: Tiffany Anderson, Frances Anguis-Vierkoetter, Virginia Foltz, Cassandra Groh, Carolyn Jones, Annie Lin, Cecilia Kelly, Riviere, Katherine Ryan

Blacktie Photos by: Tina Celle

Laura Palmer Noone, Deb Carstens (smiling honoree)
View all photos

Myra Richman It was difficult not to be impressed by the audience of 1,000 men and women who came to pay tribute to 11 outstanding female leaders in our community. Each year, the YWCA of Maricopa County recognizes women whose lives and accomplishments embody the YWCA mission to empower women and eliminate racism. Today's honorees have also demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities in the category for which they are being recognized. Through their efforts and those of women like them, our community is a better place to live for all of us and those we love and care about. All of the 11 women are selected by an independent jury and fit the following criteria: they live and/or work in Maricopa County, they are nominated by individuals in our community, they are committed to the empowerment of women and the elimination of racism, they have made contributions in their respective fields. The special Dorothy Willey Award recognizes an exceptional YWCA volunteer. Following are the 11 notable women: Business Leader Deborah Carstens, National Board Member of The WISH List/Arizona Chapter; Civic Leader Karlene Arnold Keogh, Founder/President, Arnold & Associates and The Arnold Keogh Health Foundation; Communicator Dr. Carolyn Warner, Founder/President, Corporate/Education Consulting, Inc.; Creative Artist Susan Paull, Program Director, Free Arts of Arizona; Educator Karen Hardin, Ed.D, Department Chairperson-Counseling, Mesa Community College; Entrepreneur Karie Montague, President, Montague & Company, Marketing Communications; Healer/Caregiver Armaity Vaghaiwalla Austin, M.D., Chair, Department of Family Medicine, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center; Public Sector Leader JoAnn Garcia, Deputy Legal Advocate, Office of the Legal Advocate; Scientist/Researcher Leslie Baxter, Ph.D., Senior Staff Scientist & Clinical Neuropsychologist, Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center; Sports Leader, Linda Wells, Head Softball Coach, Arizona State University and Greek Olympic Softball Federation. The Dorothy Willey Award was presented to Georgia McGraw, CPA, Director, Ball & McGraw, PC, Certified Public Accountants. Part of the fun came with the raffle and silent auction prizes. Molina Fine Jewelers generously donated a $10,000 Gift Certificate, with only 250 tickets that sold for $100 each. Great odds! The following Get Away Packages and Raffle tickets sold for $25 each: Doubletree Hotel Orlando for 5 days/4 nights including roundtrip airfare for two on America West Airlines and a $250 Westcor card for those who like to shop (and who out there doesn't?), Air travel for two on Southwest Airlines and $250 Westcor shopping card (more fun); Overnight stay for two at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, dinner at Steamers, Sunday Brunch at Wrights, and a $250 shopping card from Westcor; Air travel for two on America West Airlines and a $250 Westcor shopping card; Golf at Troon. The Silent Auction item was a handmade Persian rug which took three years to make and has a value of $2,600. The judges were a stellar group. They chose well, and their choice of role models inspired everyone in the crowd! I wonder who will make the list next year.