Inaugural Women’s Leadership luncheon honors three

Women's Leadership, sponsored by United Way of Southern Nevada, had their inaugural Women's Leadership luncheon on Feb. 25 in the Emperor's Ballroom at Caesars Palace to celebrate local women of distinction.

Last year, a group of local women formed Women's Leadership in an attempt to improve the lives of Southern Nevada residents through education, health care and financial stability. Each woman contributes $2,500 annually, and they meet twice a month to discuss charitable goals.

Sharing the duties of mistress of ceremonies were Calvert Collins of KLAS-TV, Channel 8 and Tricia Kean of KTNV-TV, Channel 13. The luncheon drew a capacity crowd to listen to keynote speaker Marilyn Winn, president of Bally's, Rio and Paris Las Vegas. Winn spoke on her 10 personal inspirational steps to achieve success.

The luncheon honored three outstanding women. Selma Bartlett received the 2009 financial stability award.

For the past 50 years, Bartlett has served the community's financial needs through business development and philanthropy. The 2009 commitment to education award went to Carolyn Goodman, founder and board president of The Meadows School. Dr. Florence Jameson, past president of the Clark County Medical Society and an advocate of free medical care to uninsured and underinsured, received the 2009 access for health care award.

Guests were Beth Miller, United Way's vice president of major gifts, and Leadership Council co-chairs Cathy Jones and Judy Kropid. Also, Nancy Houssels, Dedee Nave, Debbie Creel, Leslie Fox-Priest, Louise Helton, Judy Reich, Paige Fleming, Joanne Blystone, Janet Linder, Abby Geyer, Sandy Peltyn, Laura Spina, Melissa Warren, Misty Morgan and Dan Goulet, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Southern Nevada.

DISCOVERY MUSEUM RECEPTION: The board of trustees of the Lied Discovery Children's Museum hosted a reception Feb. 20 to introduce the museum's new Green Village exhibit.

Music was provided by cellist Mert Sermet and students from Nevada School of the Arts performed. Mayor Oscar Goodman and Michael Yackira, president and chief executive officer of NV Energy, tried out the hands-on interactive exhibits.

Guests Dana Lee, Jennifer and Michael Yackira, Troy Wade, Tom Axtell, state Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, and Candy Schneider, Joyce Schneider, Judy and Jim Kropid, Chuck Costa, Dawn Ham, Ginger Schwartz, Judy Cebulko and Scott Rutledge visited the state Capitol building, airport terminal, a car care center, a plumbing exhibit, Bank of America and Smith's grocery store that were part of the exhibit.

The Green Village is sponsored by the Lied Foundation Trust , NV Energy, Fireman's Fund Heritage Program, the Ritter Charitable Trust, James Manning and Richard Worthington.