Presented By Cayuga Radio Group tonight from– 4PM-8PM TC3 Sports Complex, Dryden


This year I-100 is saluting extraordinary women in Central New York that have done inspiring things for their friends, their companies, or their communities! Who are the 20 Outstanding Women You Should Know? 

Our 20 Outstanding Women You Should Know have been recognized and honored on the air on I-100, in a special publication.   Now meet the in person at our 
Women's Expo, 2008 at the TC3 Sports Complex tonight.

HELP US CELEBRATE THE 20 OUTSTANDING WOMEN YOU SHOULD KNOW AT WOMEN’S EXPO 2008 tonight AT THE TC3 SPORTS COMPLEX IN DRYDEN - BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CAYUGA RADIO GROUP AND OUR PRESENTING PARTNER AUDREY EDELMAN REALTY USA. ALSO SPONSORED, IN PART, BY OUR PLATINUM PARTNERS - HANDYMAN MATTERS, TOMPKINS TRUST COMPANY AND SIMMONS ROCKWELL. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WOMEN’S EXPO 2008 KEEP LISTENING OR CALL 607-257-6400 TODAY! This event will include the introduction of this area’s “20 Outstanding Women You Should Know" as well as interactive exhibits, entertainment, wine tasting, and door prizes.   This event is free and open to the public. Women's Expo 2008,  TONIGHT!! A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor: Audrey Edelman Realty USA

I-100 IS PROUD TO PRESENT THIS YEAR’S 20 OUTSTANDING WOMEN YOU SHOULD KNOW….

Michelle Courtney Berry

As a legislator, entrepreneur, journalist, teacher, consultant, performer, poet and friend, Michelle Berry is the epitome of strength, service and grace. She has the courage to articulate and fight for difficult issues until they’re resolved, the ability to translate personal history into art and a sense of humor that makes everyone in the room feel happy to be there. She is one of Ithaca’s best assets and I’m proud to nominate her. 

Ann Carter

Ann Carter has been the organizer of the AIDS Ride for Life for the past several years. Under her direction and hard work, the ride has grown tremendously with last years ride raising a phenomenal $253,000!!   Ann is inspiring to all who work with her and brings her own passion and commitment to this very important job. Ann is a person whom others like to be around because of her warmth, positive outlook and her welcoming attitude.

Ann is on the board of the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance, (now Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes), and on the board of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). She is always willing to go above and beyond in bringing her best to everything she does. Ann is an amazing woman and this recognition is LONG overdue.

Evelyn Goldsberry

Evelyn Goldsberry, went to college, earned her nursing degree with honors, was vice president of honor society, raised a toddler with many allergies and was hired by Cayuga Medical Center. She did all this while I was deployed with 222nd MP Company, Auburn in Iraq….She did all this while her husband was in Baghdad… These accomplishments are great in ordinary terms let alone doing it while her spouse was ripped from the mix.

Lisa Bushlow

Lisa came to the Hangar as an intern during her years as a Cornell student over 20 years ago. Lisa created the education program at the Hangar theatre which is nationally recognized as one of the best theatre education programs in the country. Since 2000 she has served as the executive director, moving the theatre from a small local theatre to a nationally recognized professional theatre. We have Lisa to thank for bringing quality theatre to us in the summer and helping educate our children with the use of theatre during the school year. 

Cynthia Henderson

Cynthia Henderson is a theatrical director and actress, and a professor at Ithaca College who is dedicated to serving her community….
She has facilitated several theatre projects in the community, including Voice Suspended with GIAC – a program that allowed several teenagers who have been subject to many instances of racial discrimination and violence in the Ithaca Schools to speak up about these experiences by writing and performing their own play….
Cynthia Henderson is a nominee because of how much she has contributed to her surrounding community and most importantly, the passion she commits to her projects and inspires in others…. 

Beverly Baker

Beverly gives generously of her time, talent and resources to our community. In addition to funding scholarships at Ithaca College and TC3, she funds a ‘Helping Hands” fund at TC3 which gives small grants to students in need. Beverly founded the ‘Angel Fund’ which funds the cost of medical care and surgery for animals at the TC SPCA. She sponsors the Friends’ Concert in Park in September of each year and the ‘Phantom Ball’ for the SPCA. Currently, Beverly is involved in helping to beautify Ithaca and working on endowing the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.

Helen Hudson

I am nominating Helen Hudson for all of the extraordinary contributions that she makes to the greater Syracuse community. Helen is the President of M.A.G.V (Mothers Against Gun Violence). She organizes memorials for victims’ families, educates violence awareness to the community and advocates for new gun legislation. She also organizes organ donor registration clinics and awareness on behalf of individuals in the community that are currently awaiting donation. . This area is a better place to live because of people exactly like Helen Hudson. She is the epitome of a community giver and certainly most deserving of this type of recognition for her hard work and dedication to all of us.

Stacy Marko

Stacy turned the tragic loss of her young daughter into an annual event to aid other sick children. When Alyssa passed away from cancer, Stacy and her family began Alyssa's Toybox at University Hospital. They provide toys for other sick children with funds raised during the annual Alyssa's Run each October.
Stacy's strength and love for her daughter warms my heart every year I volunteer. She is a hero and role model for all mothers. I am honored to know her, and nominate her as one of the most outstanding woman.

Oretha Zaye Mayu 

Oretha came from Liberia in West Africa she left because of the Civil War. Oretha escaped into a refugee camp and lost track of her husband. She managed to bring herself and 3 children to Ithaca with the help from a resettlement program and her sister. She finally located her husband and they were reunited. Together by both working two jobs they bought a home in Ithaca and have 2 children in college.    I have worked with this woman and with all her problems she has had, Oretha keeps a smile on her face.

Mimi Melegrito-Palmer

Mimi contributes so much to the community through the Kiwanis club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Salvation Army, Women's Opportunity Center, and the Ithaca Festival. I'm sure there are many other things she gives her time to as well. Mimi is on the go from sun-up till sun-down everyday. She won't say no to anyone and is always willing to lend a helping hand and a smile, no matter what you ask of her. She is a role model for others.

Janet Krizek

Janet is the Special Olympic Area Chairperson and Coordinator for Area 17 which comprises the counties of Tompkins and Cortland within the Southern Tier Region. Special Olympics services area athletes with intellectual disabilities, providing them with year round sports training and the Fall, Winter and Summer Game competition opportunities. The success of our area’s Special Olympic program is a demonstration of Janet’s dedication and love for the opportunities that the Special Olympics provides our area athletes.

Jaydn McCune

Jaydn is a singer, songwriter, counselor, mother and author of “Girls to Women, Women to Girls”…. Among her many accomplishments she has transformed the Lighthouse program, a partnership between BOCES and the Racker Centers into a regionally-renowned model for reintegrating high risk youth back into the mainstream school system. Jaydn throughout her life has had profound impact on people one person at a time!

Sharon Millick

Keeping a young man fed can be a difficult chore. So imagine trying to feed an entire houseful! But that is exactly what Sharon does for the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Sharon never fails to make a great meal that we all appreciate.    But Sharon’s commitment to our fraternity goes much farther than the food in our kitchen. Sharon is more than a cook …She is a mentor, a friend, and a substitute mom. She is always willing to put others before herself and to help out any one in a time of need.    Sharon opens her home during the summer, helping out the needy by taking them in and helping them rebuild their lives through her caring and nurturing personality. 

Deborah Mohlenhoff

It’s an old adage within volunteer circles that if you need something done, ask a busy person. Many in this region have learned that if you need something done extremely well and seemingly effortlessly – and providing a rich, satisfying experience for all those concerned in the process - ask Deb Mohlenhoff.
Deb serves as Assistant Director for Community Service and Leadership Development in the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement. In her role as student volunteer service coordinator for Ithaca College, Deb places qualified students with local organizations and businesses to have them “learn through doing.” ….
Deb works tirelessly to find ways for everyone to contribute their own particular talents and skills to every endeavor, and to help them find the same degree of satisfaction in “giving back” to the community.

Lynda Meyers

This incredible woman started her own successful design business months before being diagnosed with breast cancer.   She has managed to grow this business while going through chemotherapy and radiation therapy.   All the while, she's funny, giving and uses her creative and compassionate qualities to the benefit of those around her.   Her optimism is contagious!

Gay Nicholson

Ms. Nicholson has for many years been the leader of the sustainability movement in Ithaca, Tompkins County and the Southern Tier of New York. Her efforts have offered great benefit to many people, especially those of low income and disadvantaged groups who have learned how to become energy efficient due to her efforts and those she supports. I think that Gay is the essence of a good citizen. 

Serenity Sutherland

Serenity, in many ways, has grown up in the spotlight and has emerged as a local hero to many. At the age of 13, Serenity was introduced to the sport of dirt racing by her father. Now, entering her 12th year in racing, Serenity has come a long way; not only as an individual, but leading the way for many other young women in sports.
Serenity is a phenomenal woman courageous and inspiring….. someone that puts herself before others. 

Marian Van Soest

Marian has accomplished many things during her years in Ithaca. In the Arts, she is a successful painter who shows and sells her work regularly, she is a member of the Ithaca Community Chorus, and she serves on the board of the Community School of Music and Art.   
She was the head of Suicide Prevention in Ithaca for several years. Marian has been one of those remarkable women who will always take time to help her friends and family in any way she can.

Rita Wright

Rita Wright has been the Director of the Aid to Victim's of Violence (AVV) Program at the YWCA in Cortland for the past 18 years. Ms. Wright joined the YWCA staff 20 years ago, working her initial two years as an Advocate, prior to being promoted. She is wise, inspirational, competent, and non-judgmental as she works daily with very difficult domestic violence cases…  Ms. Wright has received numerous honors and awards.
In her non-work life Ms. Wright and her husband are co-pastors of God's Lighthouse of Praise Church in Cortland, and parents to 5 children. Together they have adopted an additional 5 children, including Mr. Wright's 4 nephews from the inner city in Trenton, NJ. Ms. Wright is one of our finest, and is a deserving nominee for the 20 Outstanding Women award.

Teresa Whitaker

“One day in January Terri went to work as normal. While at her day job she was told that there was a person in need of help. Upon her arrival she found the person unresponsive with a weak pulse. Right after getting there the person lost their pulse. Terri acted quickly and began CPR on the patient. Terri is certified to use the AED to shock the heart back into a rhythm that is sustainable to life. Through her extensive training as an EMT she got this persons pulse back and saved their life. Terri then went back to work and finished out her day. Everybody congratulated her for a job well done and told her that she was a hero. She just told everybody “I was just doing my job.”