The 50 Most Influential Women to Attend the Denim & Diamonds Reception
Posted: 03-18-2010 : CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Charlotte, NC – The 50 honorees for this year’s "50 Most Influential Women" awards are preparing for next Tuesday’s “Denim & Diamonds” reception. The invitation only reception for new honorees, alumnae, judges and sponsors will be held at the Charlotte City Club on Tuesday, March 23rd where they’ll vote for the Woman-of-the-Year, who will be recognized as the most influential of Charlotte’s 50 Most Influential Women for 2010.

While the denim may be their own, the fifty honorees in attendance will be wearing jewelry provided by Perry’s at South Park. "We support as much as we can any event or organization that shows support to women and honors women who have worked so hard and accomplished so much,” said Ernest Perry, owner and president of Perry’s Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry. “During this special event, we want the honorees to feel glamorous by allowing them to wear that special piece of jewelry that they would buy and adorn themselves with when they are able."

"The Denim & Diamonds reception is a great way for all the honorees to meet and connect,” said Tonya Mathis, Publisher of The Mecklenburg Times and the event’s creator and main sponsor. “In addition to being a fun activity for the honorees, the Denim & Diamonds reception doubles as a great networking venue for them and our sponsors. After all, the ‘50 Most Influential Women’ awards is a premier business and social event in Charlotte. And nothing helps business like networking.”

Last year’s Woman-of-the-Year was Frances Queen, the founder and CEO of Queen Associates, a leading Charlotte-based information technology consulting and staffing firm.

“The Denim & Diamonds reception was great fun, and presented a terrific opportunity to meet my sister honorees,” said Queen. “Being chosen as Woman-of-the-Year was humbling and a great honor, because it was recognition from those I consider my peers.”

The Woman-of-the-Year won’t be identified until the black-tie gala dinner and awards ceremony that will be held Friday, April 23rd at the McGlohon Theater & Atrium in Spirit Square, a venue that can accommodate the anticipated larger turnout for this year’s event. More than 400 attended last year.

This year’s honorees are (in alphabetical order): Kim Arciero, Pam A. Boileau, Colleen Brannan, Serena Brock, Marilyn Carpenter, Beverly A. Carroll, Representative Tricia Cotham, Maryanne P. Dailey, Terri DeBoo, Lori Dvorak, Roberta Borsella Farnum, Kimber Flynn, Donna Forbes, Janet T. Fortner, Claire Green Fallon, Dot Gerringer-Munson, Patricia Golden, Lori A. Gougeon, Tammy S. Greyshock, Paula H. Harvey, Nina Hollander, Glenda Horton Manning, Kara Judd, Alyse Kelly-Jones, M.D., Shawn King, Carrie C. Klett, MD., Jane R. Lewis-Raymond, Barbara Lipira, Lynne Tatum Little, Sheri Lynch, Michelle A. Maidt, Valecia M. McDowell, Anne M. McGeorge, Susan Medlin, Jan Meyer, Deborah Millhouse, Emily Nabors, M.D., Ann Mabe Newman, M.D., Elizabeth Nisbet Miller, Amy Noland, Elizabeth M. Perry, MD., Cheryl Richards, Ph.D., Wendy Shanahan, Sheila W. Shirley, Stacey Simms, Wendy L. Spanbauer, Karen Ward, Jennifer A. Youngs, Emily F. Zimmern, Kimberly Easter Zirkle.

For more information, or to purchase tickets or request sponsorship information, go to www.mecktimes.com and check the events section, or contact Maggy Jones, Events Coordinator, at 704.377.6221 or by e-mail at maggy.jones@mecktimes.com

About the Awards – The 50 Most Influential Women awards and the Woman of the Year award was established to recognize the important role women play in the local economy. The honorees represent the most influential women in business, government, education, and non-profit fields and are selected by a panel of business leaders based on professional accomplishment and community involvement.

About The Mecklenburg Times – The only twice weekly business newspaper covering the greater Charlotte area, The Mecklenburg Times editorial coverage consists of small business, entrepreneurship, sustainability and other emerging sectors of the local economy.

About Perry’s Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry
Perry's Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry has been in business for more than thirty years and is considered one of the nation's finest antique and estate jewelers. Owner and president, Ernest Perry, is known as a jeweler's jeweler. Other jewelers frequently come to him to authenticate and appraise items. He also is deeply involved in civic activities and is recognized as a fine auctioneer. Visit them at www.perrysjewelry.com or at Perry's At SouthPark, 4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28211. Contact:

Maggy Jones, Events Coordinator, 704.377.6221 ext 214, maggy.jones@mecktimes.com

Tonya Mathis, Publisher, 704.377.6221 ext 213, Tonya.mathis@dolanmedia.com

Dan Jankowski, Decus Strategic Communications, 704.464.0320, dan@decusllc.com