Altrusa International of Richardson, Inc. held its annual “Outstanding Women of Today—Hearts of Service” awards luncheon earlier today at the Richardson DoubleTree Hotel. During the event, Mayor Bob Dubey was presented a ceremonial check for $480,564.78 representing the more than 15,000 hours of volunteer time invested in the City by the organization in the past year.  

Also at today’s event, Altrusa honored 30 women as “Outstanding Women of Today,” chosen for exemplifying leadership and determination in improving the lives of others in the categories of Health Care, Nonprofit, Government, Education and Business.   

The honorees are:  

Health Care  

  • Cindy Bostick, Appletree Court 
  • Debbie Crow, Baylor, Scott and White Emergency Hospitals 
  • Helen Dorsey, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas 
  • Nora Gravois, Wellness Center for Older Adults 
  • Beena Mathai, Methodist Richardson Medical Center 
  • Cristal Retana, Children’s Health 
  • Leslie Whatley, Homewell Care Services 

Nonprofit  

  • Kristen Ceaser, First Methodist Church Richardson 
  • Lacy de la Garza, Catholic Charities of Dallas 
  • Melanie Guerra, Society of St. Vincent de Paul of North Texas 
  • Dr. Cheryl Jackson, Minnie’s Pantry 
  • Lisa Kroenke, The Magdalen House 
  • Amy Spawn, The Warren Center 

Government  

  • Rhetta Bowers, Texas Congress District 113 
  • Crystal Coorough, Richardson PD 
  • Deborah Morris, City of Garland 
  • Kelly Pagel, Richardson PD 
  • Jenny Sanchez, City of Richardson 

Education  

  • Tabitha Branum, Richardson ISD 
  • Dr. Amy King, West Coast University – Richardson Campus 
  • Pamela Parkman, McKinney ISD 
  • Dr. Yvette Pearson, University of Texas at Dallas 
  • Debbi Richards, Dallas County Community College – Richland Campus 
  • Dr. Theresa Williams, Plano ISD 

Business  

  • Laura Caston, QSLWM 
  • Melissa Hailey, North Texas Top Team Realtors 
  • TwylaBeth Lambert, Mary Kay 
  • Charlie Pels, Frost Bank 
  • Jodi Thompson, Fawkes Press  
  • Sara Thomson, Occumed Plus  

Altrusa provides support to City departments and local agencies including the Richardson Public Library, RISD and Network of Community Ministries. It also helps make the Richardson Reads One Book event possible.