WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today), the premiere international organization dedicated to the support and development of female professionals in the home industries, announced nominees and this year’s Legacy award honoree for its 2009 WOW Awards. The recipients will be recognized at the WOW dinner on August 12, during this year’s Education Conference, August 11-13, at the Embassy Suites Concord-Charlotte, in North Carolina.
The annual WOW awards recognize business leaders who have been nominated by their peers and selected by an industry panel. Each has contributed to the success of the home furnishings industries; has at least five years of industry experience; and has demonstrated significant positive impact on his/her company and/or the industry.
“The WOW awards represent WithIt’s mission to advocate for professionals in our industry,” said Liz O’Brien, 2009 WithIt board president. “Highlighting the powerful contributions from our honorees is something our organization looks forward to each summer.”
Since 2000, WOW recipients have exemplified exceptional service and leadership. New this year is the early announcement of WithIt’s WOW Legacy Award Recipient. An industry group selected by WithIt reviewed each of the nominated candidates for this award before choosing the 2009 honoree.
Legacy Award Winner
For a woman of achievement who has made significant lifetime contributions to the home furnishings industry.
- Lillian August, Lillian August Home Furnishings & Interior Design
The 2009 nominees in the remaining three categories are:
Mentoring Award Honorees
For an executive or organization that has fostered advocacy, development or promotion of women in their company.
- Catherine Morsell, International Textile Market Association
- Manoj Nigam, MicroD, Inc.
- Karen Tucker, Furniture Transport Group
Education Award Honorees
For an executive or company which has developed programs to educate associates, retailers or consumers about home furnishings.
- Sharron Bradley, Western Home Furnishings Association
- W.W. “Jerry” Epperson, Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd.
- Susan Inglis, Sustainable Furnishings Council
Future Leader Award Honorees
For a woman under 40 who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and the potential to become an industry leader.
- Monica Hill, Simmons Company
- Jessica Koster, Cargill BiOH® Polyols Business
- Renee Loper, aspenhome™
Withit extends an open invitation for this special evening. Tickets may be purchased thru www.withit.org. Additional event information and conference registration is available through www.withit.org or by contacting Sara Lyke, executive director, at 336-880-2188.
ABOUT WITHIT: WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today) is the premiere international organization dedicated to the support and development of female professionals in the home industries. Established in 1997, WithIt provides educational and mentoring programs to benefit hundreds of participants and corporate sponsors annually. To learn more about the organization, membership benefits, or how to become a WithIt supporter, please visit www.withit.org. For additional inquiries, contact WithIt’s Executive Director Sara Lyke at (336) 880-2188, or email to director@withit.org