AWARE’s Twentieth Annual Women of Distinction Dinner and Silent Auction was a magnificent success! It was a privilege to recognize this year’s honorees Marie Darlin, Justine Muench, Missouri Smyth and Kristi West. Their unique contributions to our community and their words of wisdom and inspiration made the evening a wonderful celebration!
AWARE extends gratitude and appreciation to our Juneau community for your overwhelming support. This annual fundraising event was made possible by numerous people offering generous gifts of expertise, energy and heart. Our thanks to Swarupa Toth and Liz Dodd for joyful and lively hosting as emcees; to Rob Cohen, Clay Good and Alexi Painter for graciously providing opening music; to the Alaska Youth Choir Ensemble for opening with “Why We Sing.”
We thank Amy Carroll for designing the printed program, Jeanette St. George for producing bid sheets and table names. Thanks goes to Scott and Donna Johnson for filming, and Melissa Griffiths for photographing the night.
AWARE would also like to thank the Women of Distinction Corporate Sponsors and Precious Gems. Their generous financial support helps make this event all that it is. Special thanks to our Silver Corporate Sponsors Sealaska Corporation, American Seafood Company and First National Bank Alaska. We thank our Diamonds: Wellspring Integrative Medical Center, and Nell Wagoner, M.D. We would also like to thank Rubies: Elgee Rehfeld Mertz, LLC; IBEW 1547; Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska; True North Federal Credit Union; Kay and Carl Jensen; Susan Baxter and Laraine Derr. We offer a special thank you to K3 Public Radio and the Juneau Radio Center for their very generous in-kind contributions.
Thank you to our gracious auction donors! Both businesses and individuals are listed on our website www.awareak.org – thank you for making our dinner a financial success and loads of fun!
We also thank the hundreds of people who attended the dinner, our new members and those who made a financial contribution or bought an advertisement in the Women of Distinction program book. The proceeds from the Women of Distinction event further AWARE’s work with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. It is a wonderful opportunity to honor women who have made a difference while supporting work to end violence in our community.
I would like to thank the dedicated Board of Directors: Chair Mary Aparezuk Schlosser, Secretary Martha Moore, Treasurer Michele Masuda and members Phil Campbell, Norton Gregory, Jeff Irwin, Bryce Johnson, Jessica Srader and Kerri Willoughby. The board joins me in extending deep appreciation and gratitude to our event coordinator Mandi Canady who worked tirelessly to bring the details of the event to life. Thanks for your commitment to AWARE and our mission.
AWARE’s ability to work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault is greatly enhanced by Juneau’s community support. Together we are working towards a community of respect for ourselves and others, where we can all live in peace and freedom. Thank you all – we couldn’t do it without you!
Saralyn Tabachnick,
Executive Director,
Aiding Women in Abuse & Rape Emergencies, Inc.
