2023 AWARDS

By Gina Genco Scooter Media

TAKING PLACE THURSDAY, MAY 18 AT TURFWAY

Park Racing & Gaming, the 39th Annual Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards, sponsored by St. Elizabeth Healthcare honored the women who “exemplify notable achievement, outstanding service in their professions/the Northern Kentucky community” and “the qualities of personal integrity, perseverance and leadership.”

Katie Meyer, Chair of the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards, opened the program.

“As Chair, I was able to see the breadth of amazing women who were nominated for these awards,” said Meyer. “There is no shortage of outstanding women who are leading by example in this region. Each year, it’s an honor to recognize them for their accomplishments and learn from them. Finally, I want to say congratulations to each of the women being honored today. It’s been a pleasure to get to know you; each of you is so deserving of this recognition.”

The awards, which were established in 1984 by the late Nancy Janes Boothe, honor women who exemplify notable achievement, outstanding service in their professions or to the Northern Kentucky community and the qualities of personal integrity, perseverance and leadership. Over nearly four decades, more than 200 women have been honored.

The OWNK awards began with the presentation of the 2023 Nancy Janes Boothe Scholarship recipients. Named after Boothe, a visionary leader with a strong commitment to education, these scholarships are presented each year to three deserving female students in the Northern Kentucky Metro region for their outstanding leadership and achievements.

“The women honored today show that the women of Northern Kentucky accept no limits as to what they can achieve,” said Kathrine Nero, who emceed the program. “These women inspire us but especially inspire the next generation of girls that will grow to become our region’s future leaders.”

This year’s recipients were Terrie Frasure-Brierly of Gateway Community & Technical College, Jenna Dunham of Northern Kentucky University and E. Holly Jenkins of Thomas More University.

Up next, Farduwsa Hassan, Nurse Practitioner Specialist and Owner at Leila Urgent Care, was the 2023 Emerging Leader Honoree. This award recognizes a woman who has made an impact on the Northern Kentucky community and is under the age of 40.

“Thank you! This is so exciting. I want to say thank you to the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Initiative for giving me this opportunity,” said Hassan. “I’d also like to thank my amazing family, including my little sister who believed I was worthy of this award. Thank you so much for your continued support.”

Then it was time to present the 2023 Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky awards. The honorees included: Christy Burch, CEO of the Ion Center for Violence Prevention; Sarah Giolando-Matlin, Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer at St. Elizabeth Healthcare; Vickie Henderson, Executive Director of the Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center; and Ash Norton, General Manager of Major Projects at Duke Energy Corporation. The award celebrates women who live, work or volunteer in Northern Kentucky and represent the great diversity and extraordinary accomplishments of today’s women. Nominees are ideal role models for the young women who will follow in their footsteps.

“I’m full of gratitude and so deeply honored to receive this recognition,” said Burch. “I am surrounded by outstanding people in my life and every one of those folks has shaped who I am today. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. This award is truly fuel for me.”

“This is a huge honor for me, and I want to recognize the other outstanding women in this room, both past and present,” said Giolando-Matlin. “Many of you have been my mentors, served with me on boards, inspired me, and I know you will continue to do so in the future.”

“What an honor it is to be recognized for work that I love to do,” said Henderson. “I work with women who are strong, compassionate, and hardworking and I assure this community that they will never stop listening to children. There’s no way I could be outstanding without my team and that’s the thing that I’m most grateful for.”

“I dedicate this honor to the countless teachers, coaches, mentors, family members, friends, leaders, coworkers and even strangers who have helped me along the way,” said Norton. “Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Carolyn Thomas Thompson, Insurance Agent at State Farm Insurance and St. Elizabeth Volunteer, received the 2023 Henrietta Cleveland Award. Recipients of this award are visionaries, philanthropists and social activists who possess compassion and strong values.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Thompson. “I was speechless when it was announced that I would receive this honor. Those of you who know me, know that never happens. I feel very fortunate to have a career that affords me the opportunity to give back to an organization like St. Elizabeth. I hope I can continue to honor the memory of Henrietta Cleveland and all those who paved the way for this healthcare system in our community.”

Finally, Lisa Desmarais, Kenton County Fiscal Court retiree, was named the 2023 Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Honoree. This award recognizes a woman who has had a major impact on the NKY community over her lifetime.

HISTORY & MORE

At the first award celebration, five women were honored. Since then, more than 200 women have been recognized for blazing trails, opening doors, or demonstrating leadership in their homes, their professions, their communities, or their state.

“When I read the words ‘the first woman’ I immediately think ‘trailblazer’ because, to me, the first woman to do anything has to blaze a trail,” said Desmarais. “Sometimes you must define and design the trail and then dig it and pave it yourself. My grandmother inspired me to blaze trails and did not let obstacles stop her while she blazed her own trails.”

Finally, NKY Chamber President and CEO, Brent Cooper took the stage to say a few words before Nero concluded the event.

“I want to thank the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Committee, all the judges and the volunteers with the Women’s Initiative,” Cooper said. “There’s a Chamber of Commerce in every country of the world. In fact, there are 7,000 in the United States. Our Chamber of Commerce has 1,700 members and 1,100 unique volunteers. It is all of you - our engaged members and volunteers who make us special. Northern Kentucky certainly is a special and unique place to be and I thank each of you for that.” NKY

To learn more about the history of the Outstanding Women of NKY awards program or to nominate an outstanding woman for the 2024 awards, please visit NKYChamber.com/OWNK.

Read all about the 2023 Honorees in the digital program at NKYChamber.com/OWNK2023