Women of Distinction

An Annual Awards Banquet for Exceptional Community Members

2024 Women of Distinction Honorees
Merrely Donahue, Rowena Palomar, Kristina Brown & Janis Johnson
WOD 2024
Gianna Giusti, Keriann Gilson & Shannon Major
Janis Johnson-Honorable mention of long time board member of AVV Janis Johnson who was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame Achievement in: Community Advocate for Social Services & Education.
Scott McCumby, Merecedes Blancaflor & Kate Dugan-Bette Maxine Cato Rising Star Award
Scott McCumby, Teresa Barton, & Kate Dugan-Bette Maxine Cato Inspirational Award
Merecedes Blancaflor-Bette Maxine Cato Rising Star Recipient & Teresa Barton-Bette Maxine Cato Inspirational Recipient

Below are the honorees

from past

Women & Young Women of Distinction!

Words of Wisdom from the Woman of Distinction

Anny Wilson Women of Distinction, 2017 "She positively impacted so many people's lives all around the world"
Marcie Robertson Women of Distinction, 2009 "Be Nice! (it's easy and it's free)"
Sam Foist-Swart Women of Distinction, 2019 "Continue Advocating for Social Change."
Heidi (Kuchin) Clement Young Women of Distinction, 2008 "Look for the good and acknowledge it every chance you get."
Patty Relay Women of Distinction, 2018 "Stop judging your neighbor, just be a good person!"
Dr. Angela Alfaro Women of Distinction, 2018 "Hold each other tight...life is precious!"
Gigi O'Bren Women of Distinction, 2008 "Be gentle."
Kerstin Cullen Women of Distinction, 2010 "Have something to focus on."
Emily Humphrey Young Women of Distinction, 2019 "Stay well, take a breath, be kind."
Gay Wellman Women of Distinction, 2019 "Hate and Fear are the Real Enemy."
Gail Renardson Women of Distinction, 2012 "Compassion."
Shannon WIlliams Women of Distinction, 2016 "Love one another."
Gretchen Kuchin Young Women of Distinction, 2012 "See the Good; Be the Good."
Tanya Young Women of Distinction, 2018 "Never forget you worth."
Jan Whalen, Women of Distinction, 2019 "Be Around People Who Are Different From You."
Leslie Bauman, Women of Distinction, 2015 "I thoroughly love my job!"
Gianna Giusti McCune, Young Women of Distinction, 2009 "Listen to Hear."
Lanette Oliver Women of Distinction, 2013 "We're All in This Together!"
Carole Derifield Women of Distinction, 2016 "Enjoy What You Have."
Rhonda Wegner Taylor Women of Distinction, 2019 "Unite as One Human Race"
SheriKay Griffith Women of Distinction, 2017 "It's Okay!"
De Ann Smith Women of Distinction, 2013 "Always Help When You Can!"
Katey Connell, Women of Distinction, 2016 "AVV supports and lifts up women in our community!"
Mary Mehlberg "Be a Servant, It Will Make Your Life Full of Love and Friendships"

Previous Women of Distinction Honorees 2008-2019

BETTE CATO INSPIRATIONAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

2024 Teresa Barton

2023 Molly Walker

2022 Katie Bobowski

2021 No Women of Distinction Event Due to Covid

2020 No Women of Distinction Event Due to Covid

2019 Rhonda Wegner Taylor

2018 Dr. Angela Alfaro

2017 Gloria Day

2016 Katey Connell

2015 Mary Helen Stephens

BETTE CATO RISING STAR RECIPIENTS

2024 Mercedes Blancaflor

2023 Abigail Ferrara

2022 Jessica Elder

2021 No Women of Distinction Event Due to Covid

2020 No Women of Distinction Event Due to Covid

2019 Ashlee Marie Schaeffer

2018 Gaea Bard

2017 Naomi Ray

2016 Jamie Comer

2015 Kate Farmer

​PREVIOUS WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

2014 Shana Anderson

2013 Shannon Mahoney-Irish

2012 Gail Renardson

2011 Pamela Shirrell

2010 Roz Strang

2009 Marcie Robertson

2008 Karen Stewart

PREVIOUS YOUNG WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

2014 Cassandra Black

2013 Colleen Murphy

2012 Forest Masters

2011 Shannon Major

2010 Maggie Nylund

2009 Gianna Giusti

2008 Heidi Kuchin

2024

WOMEN

Bernadette Irish

Keriann Gilson

Kyra Meyer

Sharon Scheidt

 

YOUNG WOMEN

Anika Faye Palomar

2019

WOMEN

Sheila Jordan

Jan Whalen

Katherine Burns

Sam Foist-Swart

Robin Mayo

Gay Wellman

Shannon Stites

YOUNG WOMEN

Emily Humphrey

Tiffany Larcom

2023

WOMEN

Pauline Doucet

Sarah Jorgenson-Owen

Sheri Pierce

 

YOUNG WOMEN

Mahali Santa Ana

Billie Comer

Isabella Smelcer

2018

WOMEN

Bonnie Thiel
Cindy Bradley
Diane Selanoff
​Marnie Graham
Patty Relay
Tanya Young
Yosselyn Gheen

YOUNG WOMEN

Jessica McKay
Shelby Gudgell
​Time Miner

2022

WOMEN

Elizabeth Jo Byrd

Kristine Krump

Olivia Foster 

Erin Hickok

Jenna Macdonald

Teri Lynch

Christine Sasse

YOUNG WOMEN

Cherise Beatus

Kyrcee Christensen

Sophia Palomar

2017

WOMEN

Romona Mooney
Katherine Walters
Sherikay Griffith
Joyce Peterson
Dr. Kathleen Todd
Anny Wilson
Shari Miller
Sarah Tapp
Kate Goudreau
Donna Lane
Hedy Sarney

YOUNG WOMEN

Naomi Ray

2021

WOMEN

No Nominees Due to Covid

YOUNG WOMEN

No Nominees Due to Covid

2016

WOMEN

Amber Mehlberg
Brandy Smelcer
Carole Derifield
Maureen "Mo" Radotich
Shannon Williams

YOUNG WOMEN

Caitlyn Connell
Gabrielle Franklin

2020

WOMEN

No Nominees Due to Covid

YOUNG WOMEN

No Nominees Due to Covid

2015

WOMEN

Leslie Bauman
Vernell Sodergren
Wendy Goldstein
Kay Houghton
Cindy Rymer

YOUNG WOMEN

Mikayla Morrison​
Riley McNelly

2011

WOMEN

Lois Platt
Sheri Beck
Michael Aranguiz

YOUNG WOMEN

Bridgette Irish
Chelsea McClara

2014

WOMEN

Christy Franklin
Beth Duffy
Dorothy Moore
Debs Campbell
Reta Ann Derifield
Pamela B. Verfaillie

YOUNG WOMEN

​Marian Wamsley
Miranda Haltness

2010

WOMEN

Mary Melhberg
Trish Stowe
Linda Brandenburg
Rhonda Williams
Jan Whalen
Rosie Tapp

YOUNG WOMEN

Kerstin Cullen
Chelsea Selanoff
Samantha Fickes

2013

WOMEN

Ann Norris
Barbara Bryson
Eva Dunning
Joan Heikens
De Ann Smith
Laurie Prax
​Lanette Oliver
Nancy Lethcoe

YOUNG WOMEN

Kuuipo Kane
Sydney Haase

2009

WOMEN

Sister Marie Brent
Karen Ables
Kim Good-Michaud
Tracy Gilson
Chris Kupczyk
Rebecca Steadman
Jennifer Stubblefield

YOUNG WOMEN

Melissa Grammer
Genevieve Murphy

2012

WOMEN

Sue Arts
Diane Gibbs
Rose Fong
Sara Goudreau
Susan Smith

YOUNG WOMEN

Ashley Chaffin
Caitlyn Auble
Gretchen Kuchin
Jennifer Kupczyk

2008

WOMEN

Kathy Nielsen-Good
Karen Ferro
Nancy Johnson
Gigi O'Bren
Dr. Kathleen Todd
Betty McIntosh

YOUNG WOMEN

Ashley Tanner