YWCA Women of Excellence
About the Award
The YWCA of Lubbock proudly counts Women of Excellence as one of its annual projects, recognizing and honoring women in our community who have achieved excellence in their careers or professions and whose contributions to business, industry, organizations, and the community are crucial to the success of the same.
Since 1989, Women of Excellence award recipients have been inspiring others in Lubbock not only with their professional achievements but also with the work they do for others. By promoting women as leaders in Lubbock, the YWCA strives to empower women and their families in order to establish strong role models for future generations of young women.
Women of Excellence Historical List
1989
1990-1991-1992
1993-1994-1995
1996-1997-1998
1999-2000-2001
2002-2003-2004
2005-2006-2007
2008-2009-2010
2011-2012-2013
2014-2015-2016
2017-2018-2019
2022
Arts & Culture – Sandra Harris
Business – Beth Bridges
Education – Janice Magness
Education – Comfort Awotwi Pratt, PhD
Government – Katherine Wells
Human Services – Dina Jeffries
Social Justice – Elizabeth Sharp, PhD
Youth Leadership – Ashby Whitaker
Jane O. Burns Award – Lynn Sanderson
Mary Nell Strong Award – Melinda Pharies
Business – Beth Bridges
Education – Janice Magness
Education – Comfort Awotwi Pratt, PhD
Government – Katherine Wells
Human Services – Dina Jeffries
Social Justice – Elizabeth Sharp, PhD
Youth Leadership – Ashby Whitaker
Jane O. Burns Award – Lynn Sanderson
Mary Nell Strong Award – Melinda Pharies
2021
Arts & Culture – Elizabeth Regner Grigsby
Business – Stephanie Massengale
Education – Dr. Patricia Frances Johnson
Government – Norma Ritz Johnson
Human Services – Katelynn Thompson
Medical – Dr. Amy Thompson
Professional – Laura Monroe
Religion – Glenda Grigson
Youth Leadership – Grace Feist
Business – Stephanie Massengale
Education – Dr. Patricia Frances Johnson
Government – Norma Ritz Johnson
Human Services – Katelynn Thompson
Medical – Dr. Amy Thompson
Professional – Laura Monroe
Religion – Glenda Grigson
Youth Leadership – Grace Feist
2020
Education – Wendy-Adele Humphrey
Human Services – Jaime Wheeler
Government – Judge Kara Darnell
Medicine – Shirley McReynolds
Professional – Michelle McCord
Religion – Paige Allen
Social Justice – Sellie Shine
Youth Leadership – Sophie Goforth
Mary Nell Strong Award – Latrelle Bright Joy
Human Services – Jaime Wheeler
Government – Judge Kara Darnell
Medicine – Shirley McReynolds
Professional – Michelle McCord
Religion – Paige Allen
Social Justice – Sellie Shine
Youth Leadership – Sophie Goforth
Mary Nell Strong Award – Latrelle Bright Joy
2019
Business – Melissa Collier
Education – JoAnn Long, PhD
Education – Karen Thornton
Government – Annette Sobel, MD
Medicine – Rebecca Geist
Religion – Brandi Cantrell
Science – Lisaann Gittner
Social Justice – Melinda Garcia Schalow, MD
Youth Leadership – Gabriella Ghandour
Mary Nell Strong Award – Terri Duncan
Education – JoAnn Long, PhD
Education – Karen Thornton
Government – Annette Sobel, MD
Medicine – Rebecca Geist
Religion – Brandi Cantrell
Science – Lisaann Gittner
Social Justice – Melinda Garcia Schalow, MD
Youth Leadership – Gabriella Ghandour
Mary Nell Strong Award – Terri Duncan
2018
Arts & Culture – Jean Caslin
Business – Linda Ferguson
Education – Linda Donahue, PhD
Government – Rebecca (Becky) Garza
Medicine – Lindsay Penrose, PhD
Professional – Carolyn F. Moore
Religion – Shanna Hargrave
Science – Dr. Katharine Hayhoe
Social Justice – Aliza S. Wong, PhD
Youth Leadership – Emilee Acevedo
Mary Nell Strong Award – Kathy Gilbreath
Business – Linda Ferguson
Education – Linda Donahue, PhD
Government – Rebecca (Becky) Garza
Medicine – Lindsay Penrose, PhD
Professional – Carolyn F. Moore
Religion – Shanna Hargrave
Science – Dr. Katharine Hayhoe
Social Justice – Aliza S. Wong, PhD
Youth Leadership – Emilee Acevedo
Mary Nell Strong Award – Kathy Gilbreath
2017
Arts & Culture – Michelle Kraft
Business – Phebe Ellis-Roach
Education – Anna Jackson
Government – Ann-Marie Carruth
Medicine – Sharmila Dissanaike, MD
Professional – Kim Flenniken
Science – Candace Bourland Hicks
Youth Leadership – Madeleine Lipetska
Mary Nell Strong Award – Evelyn Davies
Business – Phebe Ellis-Roach
Education – Anna Jackson
Government – Ann-Marie Carruth
Medicine – Sharmila Dissanaike, MD
Professional – Kim Flenniken
Science – Candace Bourland Hicks
Youth Leadership – Madeleine Lipetska
Mary Nell Strong Award – Evelyn Davies
2016
Arts & Culture – Janie Bush
Business – Monica Hightower
Education – Abigail Crawford
Education – Berta Fogerson
Government – Karen Gibson
Professional – Ann Manning
Religion – Emily Lemley
Youth Leadership – Rhosean Asmah
Jane O. Burns Award – Linda Greenstreet
Mary Nell Strong Award – Sandi Turner
Business – Monica Hightower
Education – Abigail Crawford
Education – Berta Fogerson
Government – Karen Gibson
Professional – Ann Manning
Religion – Emily Lemley
Youth Leadership – Rhosean Asmah
Jane O. Burns Award – Linda Greenstreet
Mary Nell Strong Award – Sandi Turner
2015
Arts & Culture – Amy Faris
Business – Suzanne Blake
Education – Lisa S. Leach
Government – Judge Drue Farmer
Human Services – Lynda Loyce Dutton
Medicine – Mimi Zumwalt MD
Science – Michelle Pantoya, PhD
Youth Leadership – Michelle Suzanne Staley
Jane O. Burns Award – Gail Spivey
Mary Nell Strong Award – Betty Shewbert Dotts
Business – Suzanne Blake
Education – Lisa S. Leach
Government – Judge Drue Farmer
Human Services – Lynda Loyce Dutton
Medicine – Mimi Zumwalt MD
Science – Michelle Pantoya, PhD
Youth Leadership – Michelle Suzanne Staley
Jane O. Burns Award – Gail Spivey
Mary Nell Strong Award – Betty Shewbert Dotts
2014
Business – Alona Beesinger
Education – Aretha Marbley PhD
Human Services – Carolyn Simpson
Medicine – Ariwan Rakvit M.D.
Professional – Laura Vinson
Religion – Holly Betenbough
Science – Carolyn Perry
Youth Leadership – Alejandra Estrada
Mary Nell Strong Award – Lorrie Lushnat Bellair
Education – Aretha Marbley PhD
Human Services – Carolyn Simpson
Medicine – Ariwan Rakvit M.D.
Professional – Laura Vinson
Religion – Holly Betenbough
Science – Carolyn Perry
Youth Leadership – Alejandra Estrada
Mary Nell Strong Award – Lorrie Lushnat Bellair
2013
Arts & Culture – Mary Jones Saathoff, PhD
Business – Nita Kiesling
Education – Karen K. Garza, PhD
Medicine – Marguerite Fallon, DNP, RN
Professional – Nancy Tucker Sharp
Science – Sindee L. Simon, PhD
Special Achievement – Neoka Perez
Youth Leadership – Kristen Michelle Alcorte
Mary Nell Strong Award – Carolyn Taylor*
Business – Nita Kiesling
Education – Karen K. Garza, PhD
Medicine – Marguerite Fallon, DNP, RN
Professional – Nancy Tucker Sharp
Science – Sindee L. Simon, PhD
Special Achievement – Neoka Perez
Youth Leadership – Kristen Michelle Alcorte
Mary Nell Strong Award – Carolyn Taylor*
2012
Arts & Culture – Terri Caldwell
Business – Diannah Tatum
Education – Narissra Maria Punyanunt-Carter, PhD
Human Services – Merinda K. Condra, JD
Medicine – Lori Rice Spearman, PhD, MT, ASCP
Professional – Emily Ratcliff
Science – Louisa Hope-Weeks, PhD
Youth Leadership – Michaela Hardin
Mary Nell Strong Award – Christie Devitt
Business – Diannah Tatum
Education – Narissra Maria Punyanunt-Carter, PhD
Human Services – Merinda K. Condra, JD
Medicine – Lori Rice Spearman, PhD, MT, ASCP
Professional – Emily Ratcliff
Science – Louisa Hope-Weeks, PhD
Youth Leadership – Michaela Hardin
Mary Nell Strong Award – Christie Devitt
2011
Arts & Culture – Yvonne Racz Key
Business – Aimee C. Doane
Education – Kitty Harris Wilkes, PhD
Government & Human Services – Beth Lawson
Professional – Kelly Overley, PhD
Science & Medicine – Kamlesh Varma, MD
Youth Leadership – Sarah Jo Lambert
Jane O. Burns Award – Kay Cross
Business – Aimee C. Doane
Education – Kitty Harris Wilkes, PhD
Government & Human Services – Beth Lawson
Professional – Kelly Overley, PhD
Science & Medicine – Kamlesh Varma, MD
Youth Leadership – Sarah Jo Lambert
Jane O. Burns Award – Kay Cross
2010
Arts & Culture – Bonnie J. Aycock
Business – Billie J. Caviel
Education & Religion – Grace Hernandez
Government – Judge Nancy M. Koenig
Human Services – Vickie Russell, LMSW
Professional – Mary K. Crites, AIA,
Science & Medicine – Betsy Goebel Jones, Ed.D.
Youth Leadership – Jade C. Shank
Special Achievement – Sharon Hyde Bass
Business – Billie J. Caviel
Education & Religion – Grace Hernandez
Government – Judge Nancy M. Koenig
Human Services – Vickie Russell, LMSW
Professional – Mary K. Crites, AIA,
Science & Medicine – Betsy Goebel Jones, Ed.D.
Youth Leadership – Jade C. Shank
Special Achievement – Sharon Hyde Bass
2009
Arts & Culture – Louise Hopkins Underwood*
Business – Margarita Olivárez
Education & Religion – Mitzi Ziegner
Government & Human Services – Catherine Lee Pope
Medicine – Christina Esperat, RN, PhD, FAAN
Professional – Stacie George*
Science – Melinda Corwin, PhD, CCC-SLP
Youth Leadership – Jennifer McGrew
Special Achievement – Sally Kipyego
Business – Margarita Olivárez
Education & Religion – Mitzi Ziegner
Government & Human Services – Catherine Lee Pope
Medicine – Christina Esperat, RN, PhD, FAAN
Professional – Stacie George*
Science – Melinda Corwin, PhD, CCC-SLP
Youth Leadership – Jennifer McGrew
Special Achievement – Sally Kipyego
2008
Arts & Culture – LaWanda Sherrod Murfee*
Business – SuzAnn Moore Kirby
Education – Linda M. Brice, RN, PhD, FNP
Government – Maria Elena Quintanilla
Human Services – Kay Holder Sanford
Medicine – Sharyn Ivory, FACHE, CPHQ
Professional – Melisa Tatum Roberts
Science – Pamela A. Eibeck, PhD
Youth Leadership – Allison Rae Korinek
Business – SuzAnn Moore Kirby
Education – Linda M. Brice, RN, PhD, FNP
Government – Maria Elena Quintanilla
Human Services – Kay Holder Sanford
Medicine – Sharyn Ivory, FACHE, CPHQ
Professional – Melisa Tatum Roberts
Science – Pamela A. Eibeck, PhD
Youth Leadership – Allison Rae Korinek
2007
Arts & Culture – Beth Pratt
Business – Jan Thetford
Education – Kathryn Kinnison Rollo
Government – Adrienne Cozart
Human Services – Kathy Stocco
Professional, Beena Variyam
Science – Cynthia Jumper, MD
Youth Leadership – Nicole Mitchell
Jane O. Burns Award – Mary Nell Strong*
Business – Jan Thetford
Education – Kathryn Kinnison Rollo
Government – Adrienne Cozart
Human Services – Kathy Stocco
Professional, Beena Variyam
Science – Cynthia Jumper, MD
Youth Leadership – Nicole Mitchell
Jane O. Burns Award – Mary Nell Strong*
2006
Arts & Culture – Margaret Vugrin
Business – Linda Gaither
Education – Linda Crawford Hoover, PhD
Government & Human Services – Vernita Woods-Holmes
Professional – Judith Henry, EdD
Science & Medicine – Karen Baggerly, MSN, RN
Youth Leadership – Marie Pfarr
Jane O. Burns Award, Karen Worley
Special Achievement – Rosa Hernández Sheets, PhD
Business – Linda Gaither
Education – Linda Crawford Hoover, PhD
Government & Human Services – Vernita Woods-Holmes
Professional – Judith Henry, EdD
Science & Medicine – Karen Baggerly, MSN, RN
Youth Leadership – Marie Pfarr
Jane O. Burns Award, Karen Worley
Special Achievement – Rosa Hernández Sheets, PhD
2005
Arts & Culture – Conny McDonald Martin*
Business – Margaret Williams
Education & Religion – Nettie Edwards
Government & Human Services – Danette Castle
Professional – Renée Bergenheier Underwood
Patti J. Patterson, M.D., Science & Medicine
Youth Leadership – Sara Ellen McCunniff
Special Achievement – Susan Ford Wiltshire, PhD
Business – Margaret Williams
Education & Religion – Nettie Edwards
Government & Human Services – Danette Castle
Professional – Renée Bergenheier Underwood
Patti J. Patterson, M.D., Science & Medicine
Youth Leadership – Sara Ellen McCunniff
Special Achievement – Susan Ford Wiltshire, PhD
2004
Arts & Culture – Lugene Lane Pickering
Business – Geneva B. Boren
Education – Marilyn Phelan, JD
Government – Elma S. Moreno
Human Services – Gloria Snell Galey*
Professional – Sara Stalcup McKee
Science – Marianna Shubov, PhD
Katie Megan Akeroyd, Youth Leadership
Business – Geneva B. Boren
Education – Marilyn Phelan, JD
Government – Elma S. Moreno
Human Services – Gloria Snell Galey*
Professional – Sara Stalcup McKee
Science – Marianna Shubov, PhD
Katie Megan Akeroyd, Youth Leadership
2003
Art – Toni Arnett
Education – Margaret Brannon-Randle, MEd
Government & Human Services – Trudy Putteet*
Music – Mary Jeanne van Appledorn, PhD*
Professional – Suzanne Adams Beck Liner, MD
Religion – Rev. Stephanie Schreiner Nash
Science & Medicine – Alexia E. Green, RN, PhD, FAAN
Youth Leadership – Ashley Marie Cartwright
Special Achievement – Sharon Young Prather
Education – Margaret Brannon-Randle, MEd
Government & Human Services – Trudy Putteet*
Music – Mary Jeanne van Appledorn, PhD*
Professional – Suzanne Adams Beck Liner, MD
Religion – Rev. Stephanie Schreiner Nash
Science & Medicine – Alexia E. Green, RN, PhD, FAAN
Youth Leadership – Ashley Marie Cartwright
Special Achievement – Sharon Young Prather
2002
Arts & Culture – Tina Fuentes
Business – Kay Davis, Business
Education – Lady Falls Brown, PhD
Government & Human Services – Ione Heartsill
Professional – Connie Wharton
Science & Medicine – Donna Bacchi, MD, MPH
Youth Leadership – Alana K. Noble
Special Achievement – Joe Love Stogner Nelson
Business – Kay Davis, Business
Education – Lady Falls Brown, PhD
Government & Human Services – Ione Heartsill
Professional – Connie Wharton
Science & Medicine – Donna Bacchi, MD, MPH
Youth Leadership – Alana K. Noble
Special Achievement – Joe Love Stogner Nelson
2001
Arts & Culture – Pat Maines
Business – Maxine Willingham
Education & Religion – Janie Landin Ramirez
Government – Judge Judy Parker
Human Services – Linda Suzan Lazarin Thomas
Science & Medicine – Myrna L. Armstrong, EdD, RN, FAAN
Youth Leadership – Lauren Griffin
Jane O. Burns Award – Jane O. Burns, PhD
Special Achievement – Windy Sitton
Business – Maxine Willingham
Education & Religion – Janie Landin Ramirez
Government – Judge Judy Parker
Human Services – Linda Suzan Lazarin Thomas
Science & Medicine – Myrna L. Armstrong, EdD, RN, FAAN
Youth Leadership – Lauren Griffin
Jane O. Burns Award – Jane O. Burns, PhD
Special Achievement – Windy Sitton
2000
Business – Jean Bledsoe Knight
Education – JoAnn Leavey Shroyer, PhD
Entrepreneur – Carolyn R. McDougal
Government & Human Services – Shari Dorris Flynn
Medicine – Jane Ann Tustin, R.N., MSN, CSN
Professional – Brenda J. Becknell
Science – Sunanda Mitra, PhD
Youth Leadership – Brooke Chavez
Education – JoAnn Leavey Shroyer, PhD
Entrepreneur – Carolyn R. McDougal
Government & Human Services – Shari Dorris Flynn
Medicine – Jane Ann Tustin, R.N., MSN, CSN
Professional – Brenda J. Becknell
Science – Sunanda Mitra, PhD
Youth Leadership – Brooke Chavez
1999
Business – Judy Wells Chisholm
Education – Jan Berry Morris
Government & Human Services – Patsy Landrum Whipple*
Medicine – Catherine A. Ronaghan, MD, FACS
Religion – Elizabeth Valentine Abraham
Science – Beverly Chilton, PhD
Youth Leadership – Meghan Paige Fleming
Special Achievement – Burnis Marie Henderson
Education – Jan Berry Morris
Government & Human Services – Patsy Landrum Whipple*
Medicine – Catherine A. Ronaghan, MD, FACS
Religion – Elizabeth Valentine Abraham
Science – Beverly Chilton, PhD
Youth Leadership – Meghan Paige Fleming
Special Achievement – Burnis Marie Henderson
1998
Arts & Culture – Peggy Willis-Aarnio*
Business – Diane Brown Earl
Education – Dorothy Phea-Norville
Government & Human Services – Leigh Keeney McPhaul
Medicine – Annette Gary, RN, PhD
Religion – Francina Johanna Proctor
Science – Caryl E. Heintz, PhD
Youth Leadership – Reagan Elyse Davis
Business – Diane Brown Earl
Education – Dorothy Phea-Norville
Government & Human Services – Leigh Keeney McPhaul
Medicine – Annette Gary, RN, PhD
Religion – Francina Johanna Proctor
Science – Caryl E. Heintz, PhD
Youth Leadership – Reagan Elyse Davis
1997
Arts & Culture – Ruth Jane Holmes, PhD
Business – Phyllis Sullivan Jones-Beasley
Education – Sherry Sancibrian
Government & Human Services – Kathy Volanty, PhD
Professional – Irasema Velasquez
Religion – Marisue Pounders Smith
Science & Medicine – Jitra Subpamongkol Anuras, MD
Youth Leadership – Christy Michele Badgwell
Business – Phyllis Sullivan Jones-Beasley
Education – Sherry Sancibrian
Government & Human Services – Kathy Volanty, PhD
Professional – Irasema Velasquez
Religion – Marisue Pounders Smith
Science & Medicine – Jitra Subpamongkol Anuras, MD
Youth Leadership – Christy Michele Badgwell
1996
Arts & Culture – Karin Crider McCay
Business – Nancy Jo Patton
Education – Jane O. Burns, PhD
Government & Human Services – Judge Paula Davis Lanehart
Medicine – Patricia Yoder Wise, RN, EdD
Professional – Paulina M. Jacobo, JD
Science – Cassandra L. Henry
Youth Leadership – Holli Nicole Douglass
Business – Nancy Jo Patton
Education – Jane O. Burns, PhD
Government & Human Services – Judge Paula Davis Lanehart
Medicine – Patricia Yoder Wise, RN, EdD
Professional – Paulina M. Jacobo, JD
Science – Cassandra L. Henry
Youth Leadership – Holli Nicole Douglass
1995
Arts & Culture – Billie Wolfe*
Business – Betty L. Baker*
Education & Religion – Tammy D. Barnes Fedynich
Government & Human Services – Louise T. Cummins
Professional – Louise Willson Arnold*
Science & Medicine – Marian K. Solowy Myers, MD
Youth Leadership – Shaili M. Khandheria
Special Achievement – Norma E. Porres, MD*
Business – Betty L. Baker*
Education & Religion – Tammy D. Barnes Fedynich
Government & Human Services – Louise T. Cummins
Professional – Louise Willson Arnold*
Science & Medicine – Marian K. Solowy Myers, MD
Youth Leadership – Shaili M. Khandheria
Special Achievement – Norma E. Porres, MD*
1994
Arts & Culture – Suzanne Aker*
Business – Lou Dunn Diekemper*
Education & Religion – Jane L. Winer, PhD
Government & Human Services – Gwendolyn Titus
Professional – Nelda Thompson*
Science & Medicine – Irene S. Wilson*
Youth Leadership – Monica Baca
Special Achievement – Sheryl Swoopes
Business – Lou Dunn Diekemper*
Education & Religion – Jane L. Winer, PhD
Government & Human Services – Gwendolyn Titus
Professional – Nelda Thompson*
Science & Medicine – Irene S. Wilson*
Youth Leadership – Monica Baca
Special Achievement – Sheryl Swoopes
1993
Arts & Culture – Sylvia Ashby
Education & Religion – Mary Tom Riley O’Bar, EdD
Government – Rita P. Harmon*
Human Services – Barbara L. Sommerville*
Medicine – Sandra Sabatini, PhD, MD
Science – Susan Singer Hendrick, PhD
Youth Leadership – Katherine Anne Lucas
Special Achievement – Louise C. Allen*
Education & Religion – Mary Tom Riley O’Bar, EdD
Government – Rita P. Harmon*
Human Services – Barbara L. Sommerville*
Medicine – Sandra Sabatini, PhD, MD
Science – Susan Singer Hendrick, PhD
Youth Leadership – Katherine Anne Lucas
Special Achievement – Louise C. Allen*
1992
Arts & Culture – Elizabeth Skidmore Sasser, PhD*
Business – Margaret Talkington*
Education & Religion – Sister Maureen Van der Zee, CSJ*
Government & Human Services – Carolyn Lanier
Professional – Marjorie C. Kastman*
Science & Medicine – Mary Grace Umlauf, RN, PhD*
Youth Leadership – Kirsten Storin Doty
Special Achievement – Marsha Sharp
Business – Margaret Talkington*
Education & Religion – Sister Maureen Van der Zee, CSJ*
Government & Human Services – Carolyn Lanier
Professional – Marjorie C. Kastman*
Science & Medicine – Mary Grace Umlauf, RN, PhD*
Youth Leadership – Kirsten Storin Doty
Special Achievement – Marsha Sharp
1991
Arts & Culture – Betty J. Savage Mills*
Education – Virginia M. Sowell, PhD*
Government – Sylvia Martinez-Flores*
Jane F. Goldthorn, MD, Medicine
Religion – Reverend Jo Roberts Mann
Science – Melanie Weed Barnes
Youth Leadership – Michelle Leslie Erickson
Special Achievement – Helen Wagner Willey*
Education – Virginia M. Sowell, PhD*
Government – Sylvia Martinez-Flores*
Jane F. Goldthorn, MD, Medicine
Religion – Reverend Jo Roberts Mann
Science – Melanie Weed Barnes
Youth Leadership – Michelle Leslie Erickson
Special Achievement – Helen Wagner Willey*
1990
Arts & Culture – Palma Lancaster Smiley*
Business – Ethel M. McLeod
Education & Religion Shirley Anne Naile McManigal, PhD
Medicine – Yondell Masten, RNC, PhD
Science – Eilleen McAllister Johnson, PhD
Youth Leadership – Alicia Boswell
Special Achievement – Glenna Maxey Goodacre*
Business – Ethel M. McLeod
Education & Religion Shirley Anne Naile McManigal, PhD
Medicine – Yondell Masten, RNC, PhD
Science – Eilleen McAllister Johnson, PhD
Youth Leadership – Alicia Boswell
Special Achievement – Glenna Maxey Goodacre*
1989
Arts & Culture – Janeen Holmes Gilliam
Education & Religion – Elizabeth G. Haley, PhD
Government & Politics – Marilyn Jantz Dickey
Professional – *Elizabeth Creson Sisco, JD*
Science & Medicine – Teddy L. Langford, RN, PhD, CNAA
Youth Leadership – Yumi Christina Koh
Special Achievement – Kamie Ethridge
English 
Spanish