In the Media
Group
elevates women's achievements
Award
recognizes their efforts in community, corporate affairs
Appeared in
the Richardson Morning News on October 17, 2004
By WENDY
HUNDLEY
Staff
Writer
The Outstanding Women
of Today award was inspired by a simple idea. "A lot of women are making
an impact but are not being recognized, " said Janice Swallow,
president of Altrusa International Inc. of Richardson.
The organization for
professional women decided to rectify that oversight by singling out
women "who exhibit an altruistic spirit in their work and in the
community, and display exceptional dedication, leadership and
vision," Ms. Swallow said.
On Friday, Altrusa
held its first annual Outstanding Women of Today awards banquet, honoring
those who live or work in the Richardson or Plano school districts.
Thirteen women were nominated in four categories.
Patti Kieker, deputy
superintendent of the Richardson school district, was the winner in
the education/government category. She was recognized for financial
leadership and her role in restructuring an evaluation system for
school administrators. Ms. Kieker is also active in the community and
volunteers with the Special Olympics, Leadership Richardson Advisory Board
and the Wildflower Planning Committee.
The award in the
nonprofit category went to Sharon Allred, executive director of
Neighborhood Youth and Family Counseling of Richardson. Ms. Allred was
chosen for leadership and dedication to helping needy
people.
Under her guidance,
the agency has spearheaded outreach efforts to non-English speaking
residents in the Richardson area.
Ms. Allred said the
award was "really recognition of the agency team and their efforts to make
Richardson a better place to live."
Small business owner
Maura Schreier-Fleming was recognized for exemplifying leadership skills
and a can-do attitude. In 1997, she founded a sales consulting firm
Best@Selling after a successful corporate career in the
petroleum industry. She was the first female lubrication engineer at
Mobil and is active in the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers.
"It's very
inspirational," Ms. Schreier- Fleming said of the award. "I love what I
do, and it's nice to be recognized for doing what you love."
Beth Kolman,
community relations manager at Nortel Networks, was the winner in the
corporate/high-tech category.
Ms. Kolman has played
it key role in providing volunteers, meeting space and other Nortel
services to nonprofit organizations. She is also active in the
Richardson Chamber of Commerce, Richardson Boys and Girls Club Board,
the Wildflower Planning Committee and the Richardson schools'
Academic Decathlon.
Other nominees were:
Mary M. Price of The Richards Group; Mary Alice Garza of Geo-Marine Inc.;
Alicia G. Marshall of St. Luke's Lutheran Church; Ginger York of the
Network of Community Ministries; Dot McCalpin of McCalpin
Photography; Joanie Moi of Feedback Plus Inc; Barbi Stapleton of the
city of Richardson; Elise A. Dixon of the city of Richardson; and
Darrelene Rachavong of the University of Texas at Dallas.
E-mail
whundley@dallasnews.com or call 469-330-161
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