(Kelly Harlan of Virginia Arts Festival)

(Kelly Harlan of Virginia Arts Festival)

The YWCA South Hampton Roads today announced the names of the 11 exceptional women who will be recognized as a 2016 YWCA South Hampton Roads “Woman of Distinction.”  All of the women, whoexemplify the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women, will be honoredon Thursday, April 28, during the 28th Annual Women of Distinction Awardsluncheon, at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.

“This wonderful group of women selected forrecognition this year are leaders in their communities and workplaces,” saidBarbara Hamm Lee, YWCA SHR Board Vice-Chair and chair of the Women ofDistinction committee.  “We are pleasedthat we continue to have a great group of women to recognize from throughoutHampton Roads.”

This year’s honorees are:

  • Arts:  Kelly Harlan, Marketing Director,Virginia Arts Festival
  • Business:  Carol H. Ormond, CEO, AAA ofTidewater
  • Communications:  Sally KirbyHartman, Vice President of Communications, Hampton Roads Community Foundation
  • Education:  Edna V.Baehre-Kolovani, President, Tidewater Community College
  • Finance:  Charity A. Volman, President, SunTrustBank, South Hampton Roads Market
  • Government:  Marlene Randall,Retired school principal and retired Portsmouth City Council member
  • Law:  Sharon S. Goodwyn, Counsel,Hunton & Williams, LLP
  • Military:  Laura Baxter, Publisher/GeneralManager, The Flagship, Pilot Media
  • Non-Profit:  Sharon D.Houston, Deputy Director, The Garden of Hope
  • Science/Technology:  JenniferBoykin, Vice President-Engineering, Newport News Shipbuilding
  • Volunteerism:  ShannonKendrick, District Director, Scott Rigell Congressional Office

This year’s nominees will join the more than 350 womenwho have been recognized as “Women of Distinction” by the YWCA South HamptonRoads since 1989 for their accomplishments and extraordinary contributions totheir profession and their community.

For more information about the 2016 YWCA South HamptonRoads Women of Distinction honorees as well as information on tickets for theluncheon, please call (757) 625-4248.