Twenty women have been selected as finalists to be considered for Women of Distinction Awards at this year’s Fifth Annual Award Program and Gala – The World is Your Oyster, You are the Pearl, being held at the Cape Coral Yacht Club on the evening of June 25.

“All of these women are to be celebrated for the positive impact they have in our community,” said Jennifer Nelson, chair of the Women of Distinction Committee, Cape Coral City Council member and executive director of Captiva Erosion Prevention District.

“Our event is unique in that it acknowledges those determined women working daily to make improvements in our community that we may not otherwise know about without the nominations of their neighbors, peers, colleagues and friends,” said Nelson. “In recognizing their efforts, we inspire them and others to continue forward, knowing they are making a difference. The end result — our community continues to thrive,” shared Nelson.

It was a competitive process to narrow down the large list of nominations to the following finalists: Maya Benson, Noelle Branning, Vanessa Chaviano, Carol Culliton, Liza King, Rose Odell King, Melisa Giovanelli, Melanie Musick, Carol Polis, Cassandra Thompson Pride, Sheena Reagan, AnnMarie Reno, Mia Rogers, Carmen Salome, Elaine Sarlo, Kathleen Smith, Eileen Snider, April Snyder, Ernestine Squires and Lois Welsh.

Categories for 2021 include: Business Leader, Elected/Government Leader, Hometown Hero, Humanitarian, Nonprofit Business Leader, Trailblazer, and Young Woman of Distinction.

A panel of judges made up of five Lee County community leaders, well versed in recognizing outstanding nominations, will select the women to be honored. The Women of Distinction Committee will select one woman to be recognized as Woman of the Year to be revealed the evening of the event.

Visit www.womenofdistinctionleecounty.com for tickets, tables and sponsorships.

Proceeds from the gala benefit the Frances Keogh Second Chance Scholarship. Frances Keogh is a Cape Coral resident in her 90s whose life’s work paved the way for women in all facets of leadership.

About Women of Distinction:

Women of Distinction is an awards program where local women are honored and recognized for excellence in their area of expertise. There is a nomination and selection process to identify the eight Women of Distinction in multiple categories.