ABWA in RICHMOND
American Business Women's Association
Richmond, Virginia

Richmond Area ABWA History

Local ABWA teams have always come together to sponsor special city-wide events.

In 1983 the Annual Scholarship Event was established to honor all area chapter/network scholarship recipients. The Scholarship event was discontinued in 1996.

In 1986 the city-wide celebration of American Business Women's Day was established to honor the area chapter and network Women of the Year. The 1995 event began including chapter/network Top Ten nominees as honorees.

In 1989 ABWA celebrated 40 years of "friendship, leadership and scholarship." As a part of the Richmond celebration, the Council established three very special awards to celebrate the values ABWA members have held dear since its founding in 1949. Members of the Council chapters and networks may qualify for these awards.

The Friendship Award is presented to the ABWA member who most exemplifies the meaning of friendship in ABWA. The Leadership Award is presented to the member who most represents the qualities of leadership in her career and community. The Scholarship Award is given to a member who has done an outstanding job of helping others learn by providing career direction and serving as a mentor, guide and teacher.

In 1993 the Tri-Cities Woman of the Year award was added. The name of the award was changed in 2005 to Richmond Woman of the Year to better reflect the Council's membership.

In 2000 the Council established the Richmond STARs - awards to recognize outstanding achievement by five local business women (non-ABWA members). Three permanent categories for the Richmond STAR Awards were established: Education, Media and Small Business Ownership. The two other categories are determined each year by the Council.

Richmond hosted the 2004 National Convention of ABWA. Almost 2,000 business women from across the country gathered in the River City for the five-day event which featured noted keynote speakers, seminars and workshops, national board elections, networking and fun.

In 2007 members of the Council chapters hosted the ABWA Spring Conference in Norfolk. The conference was held at the Sheraton Waterside on April 27 and 28.

Richmond Area ABWA Historical Data

1982 Council Charter Members	2010 Council Members

Cavalier Chapter	Cavalier Chapter
Crystal Star Chapter	James River Chapter
Grace E. Arents Chapter	Maggie L. Walker Chapter
James River Chapter	Mary McLeod Bethune Chapter
Lee Chapter	River City Express Network
Maggie L. Walker Chapter	Virginia Randolph Chapter
Mary McLeod Bethune Chapter
Richmond Chapter
Shockoe Valley Chapter
Virginia Capital Charter Chapter
Virginia Randolph Chapter

Council Chairs 1982-Present

1982-1983	Marianne Lawrence	Shockoe Valley Chapter
1984	Mary Morris	Maggie L. Walker Chapter
1985	Avis Bagby	Mary McLeod Bethune Chapter
1986-1987	Rosa Wilder	Maggie L. Walker Chapter
1988	Carrie Knighton	Cavalier Chapter
1989	Pam Tolley	Crystal Star Chapter
1990	Mary Morris	Maggie L. Walker Chapter
1991	Rosa Wilder	Maggie L. Walker Chapter
1992	Nancy Darley	Commonwealth Blue Chapter
1993	Mona Nunnally	South of the James Chapter
1994	Beatrice Burton	Cavalier Chapter
1995	Marianne Lawrence	Downtown Daytime Chapter
1996	Cindy Mims	Downtown Daytime Chapter
1997-1998	Barbara Buchanan	Cavalier Chapter
1999-2001	Cindy Mims	Commonwealth Blue Chapter River City Express Network
2002-2004	Judy Lee	Commonwealth Blue Chapter River City Express Network
2005-2007	Karen Higgins	River City Express Network
2008-2009	Alisa H. Dick	River City Express Network
2010-2011	Alisa L. Griffin	Cavalier Chapter

Council Awards History

Year	Friendship	Leadership	Scholarship	Woman of the Year

1989	Lillian Glenn Parker Richmond Chapter	Dr. Cynthia R. Mayo Richmond Public Schools	Sylvia T. Buffington Cavalier Chapter	n/a
1990	Edith Kahrs Crystal Star Chapter	?	Marianne Lawrence Shockoe Valley Chapter	n/a
1991	Virginia Getz Shockoe Valley Chapter	Margaret Getz Commonwealth Blue Chapter	Bonnie Eichler Crystal Star Chapter	n/a
1992	?	?	?	n/a
1993	Nancy Darley Commonwealth Blue Chapter	Virginia Getz Crystal Star Chapter	Gwen Simms Commonwealth Blue Chapter	Mona Nunnally South of the James Chapter
1994	Dee Deyerle Commonwealth Blue Chapter	Beatrice Burton Cavalier Chapter	Edith Kahrs South of the James Chapter	Beatrice Johnson Appomattox Charter Chapter
1995	Barbara Rowe South of the James Chapter	Marianne Lawrence Downtown Daytime Chapter	Delores Munford Mary McLeod Bethune Chapter	Dr. Frances M. Rose South of the James Chapter
1996	Barbara Buchanan Cavalier Chapter	Sylvia Terrell Buffington Cavalier Chapter	Norma Jean Miller Commonwealth Blue	Dr. Maxcine Maxfield Petersburg Chapter
1997	Ethel Barnes Thigpen Cavalier Chapter	Lucille Adams Cavalier Chapter	Mary Tucker James River Chapter	Marianne Lawrence Downtown Daytime Chapter
1998	Mary McIntire Commonwealth Blue Chapter	Bernetta Williams Cavalier Chapter	Muriel Wimberly Maggie L. Walker Chapter	Sylvia Terrell Buffington Cavalier Chapter
1999	Dee Ross Brown James River Chapter	Delores Dowden Maggie L. Walker Chapter	Laura Cooper Commonwealth Blue Chapter	Alice Ruth Kendall Cavalier Chapter
2000	Beatrice Burton Cavalier Chapter	Virginia Getz Commonwealth Blue Chapter	Delores Munford Mary McLeod Bethune Chapter	Joyce Banks Robinson Cavalier Chapter
2001	Regina Leftwich Virginia Randolph Chapter	Bessie Hawkes Mary McLeod Bethune Chapter	Margie Layne Dan- Pitts Chapter	Sheryl Taylor Cavalier Chapter
2002	Gwen Ingram Virginia Randolph Chapter	Felicia Perry Mary McLeod Bethune Chapter	Beatrice Burton Cavalier Chapter	Laura Posey River City Express Network
2003	Casey Quinlan River City Express Network	Alisa Griffin Cavalier Chapter	Mary Mickle Mary McLeod Bethune Chapter	Genevieve Roberts River City Express Network
2004	Delores Dowden Maggie L. Walker Chapter	Muriel Wimberly Maggie L. Walker Chapter	Sondra Draper Cavalier Chapter	Karen Higgins River City Express Network
2005	Bernice Eaton James River Chapter	Delores Munford Mary McLeod Bethune Chapter	Smokie Sizemore River City Express Network	Casey Quinlan River City Express Network Arlene Randolph-Williams Cavalier Chapter
2006	Carol Juhasz Cavalier Chapter	Maxine Tillery James River Chapter	Lucille Adams Cavalier Chapter	Alisa H. Dick River City Express Network
2007	Vinceretta Davis James River Chapter	Arlene Randolph-Williams Cavalier Chapter	Marianne Lewis Lawrence River City Express Network	Tena Krouse River City Express Network
2008	Bernice Thomas James River Chapter	Erma Allen Harris Cavalier Chapter	Annie L. Rowe James River Chapter	Sandra B. Sylvester River City Express Network
2009	Alethia Holmes James River Chapter	Beatrice Burton Cavalier Chapter	Tracey Jackson Cavalier Chapter	Tracey Jackson Cavalier Chapter
2010	Muriel Wimberly Maggie L. Walker Chapter	Cindy Mims River City Express Network	Brenda Spell Cavalier Chapter	Mary Foley River City Express Network

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Richmond STAR Awards History

Year	Award Category	Recipient
2000	Education	Mary Anne Fowlkes, M.Ed., Ph.D. Professor of Childhood Education Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education
	Media	Cheryl Tan Weekend Anchor/Reporter WRIC TV-8
	Medicine	Tamela S. Williamson, R.N. Clinical Nurse Specialist, Oncology Clinical Educator Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital
	Small Business Ownership	Betty Sams Christian President & CEO Central Coca-Cola Bottling Company
	Volunteerism	J. B. Bryan J. B. Bryan Financial Group, Inc.
2001	The Arts	Carolyn Adams Community Affairs Director The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
	Corporate Management	Janet A. Alpert President LandAmerica Financial Group
	Education	Brenda Bowman Walton Assistant Principal Albert H. Hill Middle School
	Media	Nancy Kent Smith Assistant Vice President for News NBC-12 Jefferson Pilot Communications
	Small Business Ownership	Naomi Weathers President & CEO Weathers Engineering Services, Inc.
2002	Education	Yvonne Smith-Jones, Ed.D. Director of Mathematics, Science and Technology Hopewell Public Schools
	Media	Lisa Scaffner News Anchor WRIC-TV
	Medicine	Sandra S. Elbaum, D.C. Chester Family Chiropractic Center
	Non-Profit Management	Marcia Woody Executive Director Neighborhood Housing Services of Richmond
	Small Business Ownership	Lisa Zajur President & Owner Spanish Academy and Cultural Institute
2003	Education	Karen Petersen Executive Vice Chancellor Virginia Community College System
	Media	Stacy Hawkins Adams Reporter and Columnist Richmond Times-Dispatch
	Medicine	Nadia P. Blanchet, M.D. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
	Non-Profit Management	Cathy Pond Executive Director YWCA of Richmond
	Small Business Ownership	Robbie Sullivan Thompson Vice President One Number Information Systems, Inc.
2004	Community Service	Zoe Anne Green and Meg Lawrence Community Assisted Public Safety (CAPS) Program
	Education	Diana Cantor Executive Director Virginia College Savings Plan
	Law	Viola O. Baskerville Virginia House of Delegates
	Media	Barbara Fultz President Fultz + Associates
	Small Business Ownership	Martha Franck Rollins Owner, Martha's Mixture, Ltd President & CEO, Boaz & Ruth
2005	The Arts	K Alferio Executive Director citycelebrations
	Community Service	Luz Maria L. Hogwood Legal Assistant Williams Mullen
	Education	Debra S. Lhota MiMD Teacher Midlothian Middle School Chesterfield County Public Schools
	Law	Nancy J. Jensen Associate Andrews Kurth, LLP
	Small Business Ownership	Zarina M. Fazaldin Chief Executive Officer L&Z Historic, LLC
2006	The Arts	Marlene Paul Co-Founder and Executive Director ART 180
	Education	Belinda Childress Anderson, PhD President Virginia Union University
	Medicine	Mary Elaine Davia, CBS Nurse Practitioner, Sisters of Bon Secours Bon Secours Richmond Health System
	Nonprofit Management	Ann Parker Maust, PhD President New Visions, New Ventures
	Small Business Ownership	Norma E. Santamaria Owner Baggio
2007	Community Service	Margaret P. Hill Executive Director Hanover Education Foundation
	Education	Virgie M. Binford, PhD Instructor J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
	Medicine	Deborah J. Johnston, RN President Care Advantage
	Nonprofit Management	Leisha G. LaRiviere Executive Director Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity
	Small Business Ownership	Alice M. Freeman Founder and Owner A Healthy Heart Plus, LLC
2008	Community Service	Samantha Thompson Founder Esteem Teens, Inc.
	Education	Erika Payne Home Ownership Counselor NeighborWorks Resource Group
	Media	Stephanie Rochon News Anchor WTVR-CBS Channel 6
	Medicine	Shelia Garris-Wallace Senior Partner and President Richmond Primary Care
	Small Business Ownership	Alicia McDaniel Owner LaKicks Ladies Shoes
2009	Corporate Management	Wilma Kidd Staff Vice President Corporate Privacy and Ethics and Compliance Wellpoint, Inc.
	Education	Tabatha M. W. Spurlock Lead Instructor - Nontraditional Programs Henrico County Public Schools
	Media	Lori Ross Publisher Boomer Life Magazine & Senior Guides
	Medicine	Michelle Whitehurst-Cook, MD Associate Professor of Family Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
	Small Business Management	Kirsten Graham Broker/Owner Creative Mortgage
2010	The Arts	Christy Coleman President American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar
	Education	Dr. Darlene L. Currie Director of Professional Development Richmond Public Schools
	Law	Lara Dresser Law Librarian Richmond Public Law Library
	Media	Melissa Purdue Assistant Director of Public Affairs Virginia Department of Social Services
	Small Business Management	Sharvette Mitchell Owner Miitchell Productions

Richmond Members Serve on National Board

The National Board governs and controls the affairs, policies and business of the Association. Members of the National Board also serve as trustees and the selection board of the Association's national scholarship fund, the Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund. The Board is elected by the membership at the Association's annual meeting.

Several Richmond area members have been elected to serve on ABWA's National Board of Directors:

1984-1985	Marianne Lewis Lawrence River City Express Network	District IV Vice President
1993-1994	Sylvia Terrell Buffington Cavalier Chapter	District IV Vice President
1994-1995	Sylvia Terrell Buffington Cavalier Chapter	National Secretary-Treasurer
1996-1997	Cindy Ashwell Mims River City Express Network	District IV Vice President
2002-2003	Gwen Ingram Virginia Randolph Chapter	District IV Vice President
2007-2008	Beatrice E. Burton Cavalier Chapter	District IV Vice President

National Honors Go To Richmond Area Members

Each year, ten ABWA members are recognized as the Top Ten Business Women of ABWA. They are selected based on their involvement in ABWA activities, offices or programs that have aided the achievement of personal and professional goals; accredited or continuing education; career progression and achievements; and community involvement.

The Richmond area is proud to have six members who have achieved this distinction:

1992	Bonnie Eichler River City Express Network, Richmond
1997	Maxcine C. Maxfield Tri-Cities Charter Chapter, Petersburg
1998	Marianne L. Lawrence River City Express Network, Richmond
1999	Sylvia T. Buffington Cavalier Chapter, Richmond
2002	Cindy A. Mims River City Express Network, Richmond
2004	Emily Mayhew Alta-Gret Chapter, Altavista
2009	Tena Krouse River City Express Network, Richmond