More than 300 people assembled at the Westin Alexandria Hotel Monday night to honor 29 outstanding women nominated by their fellow City residents for "their enormous contributions to the Alexandria community." It was the 28th Annual Salute to Women Awards Banquet.

Co-sponsored by the Alexandria Office on Women and the Alexandria Commission for Women, this year's event recognized 12 award winners who received special accolades from Virginia State Senator Patricia "Patsy" Ticer, former State Delegate Marian Van Landingham, Alexandria Vice Mayor Redella "Del" Pepper, former City Councilwoman Joyce Woodson, and former City Manager Vola Lawson.

Rather than a keynote speaker, this year's format featured four local women who participated in a panel discussion that focused on "how Alexandria has been changed for and by women." Panelists were Kristen Banks, Vola Lawson, Lillian Patterson and Lois Walker.

For the third year, the banquet served as a fundraiser for the Commission raising approximately $13,000. The funds will be used to support various programs of the Office of Women, according to Director Lisa Baker. While that office is a City agency, it is also reliant on funding from grants and private donations.

Recipients of this year's awards were:

* Marguerite Payez Lifetime Achievement Award - Lavern Chatman. A native Alexandrian, Chatman has devoted much of her life to improving not only Alexandria but also the region at-large. As a leader and philanthropist, she co- founded, with her late husband, the Chatman Foundation, which supports youth development programs for African-Americans. She also served as chair of the Campagna Center Board of Directors.

* Women's Health and Safety Advocate Award - Elizabeth Kuttler and Gina Lohr. Kuttler has used her skills as a psychologist, counselor and researcher to help the Alexandria community. She has volunteered nearly 200 hours to the Office of Women, working in the Domestic Violence Program. Lohr, for the past seven years has worked as a volunteer in the sexual assault support services at George Mason University where she helps GMU police on the Crisis Consultation Team. Since 2000, she has spent many hours volunteering on the 24-hour crisis hotline.

* Youth Community Service Award: Adult winner - Lucretia Jackson. A teacher in the Alexandria Public Schools for many years, Jackson became the principal of Lyles-Crouch Elementary School and helped transform it into the "Lyles- Crouch Traditional Academy." Since becoming principal of Maury Elementary School she has "inspired others" to work with her in transforming that school as well.

* Youth winner - Giselle Avalos. She has been very active in "protesting the backlash toward immigrants" and has worked with Alexandria United Teens to study, research and speak out against perceived inequalities in the schools. She has been a teen empowerment speaker at a national conference for Latino youth.

* Cultural Affairs Award - Kathryn Brown. A founding member of the Del Ray Artisans, the Alexandria Arts Forum and the King Street Gardens Park Foundation, Brown has been a mainstay in all three organizations. A noted photographer, Brown has worked with local organization's to advance women's artistic expression as well as using her talents as a successful businesswoman to help them develop financial stability.

* Career Development and Education/Training Award - Eula Miller. As Assistant Dean, Visual and Performing Arts and Program Head, Early Childhood Development, Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, Miller has transformed the previous single certificate program into one that provides two degrees, certificates and more. She has also worked in a variety of Alexandria childhood program teaching an mentoring thousands of students over the years.

* Marian Van Landingham Legislation and Public Policy Award - a dual award given to Joyce Woodson and Fay Slotnick. Former Councilwoman Woodson has been a tireless and intrepid community leader from her earliest days in Alexandria. She has championed the City's neediest residents and worked to further a myriad causes and projects.

During her 12 years as an Alexandria resident, Slotnick has volunteered her time and talents to a wide array of community organizations ranging from the court system to the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Her work has been recognized from the Governor's Office to the Virginia Education Association.

* Rising Star Award - Cindy McCartney. As the owner of Diva, Designer Consignment and Other Delights, a women's consignment boutique in Old Town, McCartney has combined business with philanthropic actions and community service ranging from supporting ALIVE to organizing the Alexandria Cherry Blossom Festival.

* Making a Difference Award - Patty Moran. Since arriving in Alexandria in 1976, she has worked tirelessly as a volunteer for many civic organizations, with special attention to the public schools. Today she serves as the assistant to TC Williams principal Mel Riddile.

* Vola Lawson Award, given to honor a City employee - JoAnn Maldonado. As Division Chief of Multicultural Affairs and Community Outreach, she connects Alexandrians to their government. As chair of the City's Multicultural Coalition, she brings together representatives from the City, nonprofit organizations and members of the various ethnic communities.