Indiana Commission for Women , 2010 Torchbearers Awards

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Indiana Commission for Women (ICW) will announce the recipients of the prestigious 2010 Torchbearer Awards on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at 4:00 p.m. in the Statehouse.  This award honors women from around the state who have overcome obstacles and made Indiana a better place to live, work and raise a family.

“Indiana Torchbearers are those women who have been pioneers throughout their lives and have stepped forward as leaders by breaking down barriers to women’s full participation,” says Chair of ICW Board of Commissioners, Betsy Corridan. “These women have become true beacons of light and their stories of courage, perseverance and compassion create a lasting legacy of inspiration for us all.”

For this year’s Awards Ceremony, the Indiana Commission for Women received forty-four nominees, which include:

• Margaret S. Washburn - First female Brigadier General in the Indiana National Guard
• Sally Brown Bassett – Former CEO of ATA Airlines and Founder of Ambassadors for Children
• Aida McCammon – CEO of Indiana Latino Institute, links Hoosier values with Hispanic culture
• Myra J. Borshoff – Media/communications crisis executive and publicist for Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay
• Blanca Bianchi de la Torre - Cuban refugee turned Administrative Law Judge who successfully argued a First Amendment case before the full U.S. Supreme Court.
• Tanya Bell– President Indiana Black Expo, largest African-American exposition in the United States.
• Joan Uebelhoer – Legendary Feminist leader and advocate for pregnant drug abusers & their babies
• Janie Craig Chenault -- First female elected County Commissioner and advocate for Cerebral Palsy 
• Vita Harley Bridges – From teen parenthood and community activist to candidate for Lt Governor.
• Barbara Holder – NAACP Chair, Project Manager for Lucas Oil Stadium and “Coats for Cold” initiative

Sharon McShurley – First female elected mayor of Muncie, Indiana.

For a complete listing of the 2010 nominees, go to www.in.gov/icw/2334.htm

The awards will be presented at the sixth annual Salute to Women in the Statehouse Rotunda on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.