Photo Caption: Recipients pose with their nominators. Back L-R: Elizabeth DeGraff with Nominator, Cheryl M. Smith; Nominator Betsy Parker with, Marni Duey Luack (Lifetime Achievement); Nominator Nona King with Sarah Casson (Coach/Mentor); Nominator Geri Cox, with Irma England (Pioneering); Nominator Christine Fredriksen with Delphine Brandt (Volunteering). Front L-R: Nominator Mary Ann Smith with Coylynn Colbaugh (Business), Nominator Shirley Henderson with Celeste Lucier (Education), Cherish Shattuck-Sammeli (Professions) nominated by Lacie Robbins (not pictured), Natalie Eggers (Public Service), nominated by Lacie Robbins, Nominator Karen Thompson with Ingrid Swanson (Religion); scholarship recipient, Sahirah Fensterbush. Martha Aguilar, scholarship recipient not pictured. Photo by Becky Foster
KINGMAN – Ten local women were honored Sunday for outstanding contributions to the community at the 41st Annual Women Making History awards, coinciding with National Women’s History Month.
The ceremony, held at St. Johns United Methodist Church, was attended by a large gathering including dignitaries and elected officials. This year’s theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” The categories range from Arts to Volunteerism. There were no nominations this year for Arts.
Prior to the awards presentation, entertainment was provided by vocalist Aerolyn Star, an extremely talented 8th grade student at Black Mountain School in Golden Valley. She gave a beautiful rendition of the national anthem and sang two additional songs to great applause. She was accompanied on piano by music teacher, Jerome Llagas.
The award recipients are:
Business – Coylynn Colbaugh, nominated by Mary Ann Smith
Education – Celeste Lucier, nominated by Shirley Henderson.
Health/Medical Professional – Elizabeth DeGraff, nominated by Cheryl M. Smith
Lifetime Achievement – Marni Duey Lauck, nominated by Betsy Parker
Other: Coach/Mentor – Sarah Casson, nominated by Nona King
Pioneering: Irma England, nominated by Geri Cox
Professions – Cherish Shattuck-Sammeli, nominated by Lacie Robbins
Public Service – Natalie Eggers, nominated by Lacie Robbins
Religion – Ingrid C. Swanson, nominated by Karen Thompson
Volunteerism – Delphine Brandt, nominated by Christine Fredriksen
A general theme among recipients was the expression of appreciation for the support of strong women in their lives and those award recipients who came before them.
In addition to the awards, $1,000 scholarships were presented to students Martha Aguilar (studying College Professor of Science, Chemistry and Mathematics) and Sahirah Fensterbush (studying Criminal Justice). Coral Evans, Assistant to Senator Mark Kelly, was on hand to present the students with Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition for Outstanding Achievement.
In conjunction with National Women’s History Month, Kingman has held Women Making History Awards continuously since 1984 (with 2021 and 2022 being combined due to the Covid pandemic). More than 200 women have received recognition to date for their contributions to the community. For more information the website for the organization is kingmanwomenmakinghistory.com
Becky Foster
