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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Women Recognized for Making a Difference

Nicole Gawronski and Wendy Stine were honored with making a difference for women recognitions Tuesday evening, February 17th. Soroptimist' Making a Difference for Women Award honors ordinary women, who through their professional and personal efforts are making extraordinary differences in the lives of women and girls. Their work has had a significant impact, and inspires and encourages other women. Nominations for the annual award come from community members to honor non-Soroptimist women. "Our judges had a difficult decision ranking the top two finalists. Both women have touched the lives of thousands of women. We are honored to recognize both for unselfishly making a difference," says Christine Hutchinson, President of SIFC.

Nicole Gawronski's nomination highlights her "relentless passion for guiding single parents, most of whom are women, in their efforts to succeed". Gawronski has been advising women through northern Colorado's Project Self-Sufficiency for the past 16 years and is a wonderfully positive role model. she follows advisees through the process, guiding and informing, supporting and redirecting. "Nicole is a mysterious mix of passionate, pragmatic, caring and wise--a strong intuition paired with a burning desire to be fair," writes Kathy Miner, Assistant Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.

Wendy Stine, an interventionist, is recognized for giving her time and heart to anyone who asks. "Serving others is at the core of who she is, it's in her DNA. It doesn't get much better than that", adds Harmony Foundation's Mara Lehnert in Stine's nomination. Evidence o Stine's efforts to make a difference for women span a side variety of areas. She contributes through the women's program at Larimer County Detention Center, mentors through Turning Point in Fort Collins, and develops curriculum for women struggling with addiction.

As first place local recipient Gawronski now competes for additional recognition at other levels of the Soroptimist organization. The winner of the Soroptimist of the Americas award will receive a $5,000 donation to a charitable organization of her choice. 

Congratulations and best wishes, ladies!