The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce tonight released its 2011 “Women of Distinction” calendar, which spotlights 12 area women who lead by example in donating their time and talents for the betterment of the community.
The “Women of Distinction” calendars were unveiled Thursday night at a reception recognizing the 2011 honorees. In announcing this year’s slate of recipients, chamber board chairman Brad Hodson said, “These ladies are the unsung heroines of the Pittsburg area, often working behind the scenes to make Southeast Kansas a better place to live, work and play. It’s our privilege to shine the light on these women and their efforts.”
This year’s honorees are:
Susan Baden – Pittsburg Family YMCA
Judy Collins – Fort Scott Community College
Sharon Dean – Community volunteer/Ronald McDonald House
Susan Dechant – NPC, International
Janice Dellesega – Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Brenda Hurt – Commerce Bank
Ronda Ison – United Way of Crawford County
Denise Kreighbaum – Covenant Harvest Church
Dr. Gina Pinamonti – Pinamonti Orthodontics
Pink ladies of Via Christi (group)
Johnna Schremmer – Pittsburg State University
Shelley Van Sharr – Pittsburg Family YMCA
Chamber President Blake Benson pointed out the calendar is also the Pittsburg area’s only complete community calendar featuring civic, school, sports, religious and other events for 2011. “Working in conjunction with the Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau, we were able to amass a very impressive lineup of events scheduled for next year,” Benson said. “From symphonies to church chili feeds to sporting events, this will be a valuable tool for area residents.”
A $10 value, copies of the 2011 “Women of Distinction” calendar are available free of charge at the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, 117 West Fourth Street.
The “Women of Distinction” calendar project has garnered attention from chambers of commerce across the region. Following the local publication’s creation in early 2007, it was honored as one of the year’s top projects by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce Executives association. Similar calendar projects have since been launched in Coffeyville and Liberal, Kan., along with Benton, Ark.
